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Reducing crime and building safer communities

Community patrols are voluntary groups of people giving some of their time and taking responsibility within their own community to help the Police make the local community safer for everyone.

I have been a member of the South Dunedin Community Patrol for over nine years. It is a great way to support the local community providing observe & report assistance and other duties as required. We work closely with the NZ Police.

Generally this is only a commitment of a four-hour shift per month plus the compulsory training. For the South Dunedin Community Patrol we operate 9.00pm to 1.00am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Initial and ongoing training is given (compulsory) and there is a police vetting process to be completed.

If you are interested in getting involved and making a difference in your (our) community check out the information on the CPNZ website or ask me for the local South Dunedin contact details or visit the CPNZ website to join a patrol near you.

Paul Allen

Posted in Community, Dunedin, Dunedin NZ, General, People, Proud to be South D

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Tags: Community, Community Patrol, CPNZ, Dunedin, important, local community, New Zealand, Otago, Paul S Allen, Paulusthebrit, Police, South Dunedin, TheWaterside

Sea Lion Close Encounter

Jan 3

Posted by Paul S Allen

Sea Lion Close Encounter – Smaills Beach, Dunedin, New Zealand

An unsuspecting swimmer at Smaills Beach in Dunedin, New Zealand, had a close encounter with an aggressive sea lion who chased him out of the water.

Speaking with the swimmer afterwards the first thing he noticed was that something touched his leg underwater. The sea lion moved effortlessly through the surf circling the swimmer and lunging at him from time to time. He made a careful but hasty retreat to the safety of the shore while not turning his back on the sea lion.

The swimmer did not hurry back to the water.

The speed and grace of the sea lion travelling through the surf was spectacular to watch.

Photo ©Paul S Allen 2015 All rights reserved.

Photos ©Paul S Allen 2015 All rights reserved.

http://www.thewaterside.co.nz

http://www.facebook.com/nothingperfectnz

This article has been picked up by the Newspaper the Otago Daily Times.

Posted in Dunedin, Dunedin NZ, General, People, Photography

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Tags: Animal, Dunedin, nature, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Daily Times, Paul S Allen, Paulusthebrit, Photography, Sea, Sea Lion, TheWaterside

A creative call to action

Sep 21

Posted by Paul S Allen

This is a call for all of us creative types to use our talents for social good.

We now more than ever need to use our art and talents to highlight the real New Zealand, so that people will see it is not the 100% pure image seen in the glossy marketing.

We need people to see the eroded sovereign rights, the increasing poverty, the widening inequality, the unemployed, the polluted waterways and growing environmental issues. the downtrodden, sick and forgotten and the many, many other issues being experienced in our country today.

It is now time…

“A bed for the night” Homeless in Dunedin

For photographers to use images to unsettle and enlighten.
For singer-songwriters to sing the songs that challenge the status quo.
For thinkers and poets to question authority.
For the media to be independent and investigative not swayed by biased political or commercial agenda.
For people to stand up for all those who need a voice to be heard.
For all of us to tell the world that everything is NOT ok in this country.

We can, we should and we will do something about it.

Paul S Allen

PS: if you know of an event that highlights the need for social change or for justice or other protest in Dunedin NZ please contact me. As a photographer I am happy to use my skills for a good cause.

Paul