New Neighbourhood Watch group on the verge of being established on Brisbane’s southside

A NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch group is on the verge of being established on Brisbane’s southside.

Rochedale Neighbourhood Watch area co-ordinator Mike Rapson with State LNP MP for Mansfield Ian Walker.

A NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch group is on the verge of being established on Brisbane’s southside.

An increase in Rochedale’s population following the release of several new housing estates prompted resident Mike Rapson to forge a Neighbourhood Watch group.

“I think the area has outgrown everybody knowing everybody,” Mr Rapson, who would be the group’s area co-ordinator, said.

“We had a meeting and there was good support and we agreed to keep looking into it. It’s a means of getting more community spirit. We’ve got aims to get people to know their neighbours, reduce crime and create a safe neighbourhood.

“We’ve had a good response and now we’re going through the processes to have the group set up.”

State LNP MP for Mansfield Ian Walker said he was thrilled to see another Neighbourhood Watch group close to being established. “There’s not a high level of crime in the area but it does happen,” he said.

“For me, it’s an unusual but positive development — it has been difficult keeping some of the groups going.

“Two of them have closed in my area in the past two years.”

Mr Rapson said a group name was under discussion, but Rochedale Neighbourhood Watch was the front runner. He said the best way for people wishing to get involved was to “like” the Facebook page 4123 Rochedale, a page dedicated to the creation of the watch group.