NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch NSW is calling on more financial support from the government as volunteers report having to "dig into their own pockets" to keep the organisation afloat.
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While other states like Queensland have secured funding to the value of $1 million, NSW's overarching community crime prevention organisation say they have been left to fend for themselves.
Wagga Neighbourhood Watch president Wayne Deaner said funding would mean they could improve upon the support they offer in keeping the community safe.
"We act as a conduit between the NSW Police Force and the community," he said.
"We provide advice and education about crime prevention and how to report it correctly."
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The $1 million would allow the state organisation to operate for two years in assisting all of its groups, according to Mr Deaner, rather than each group having to raise funds to pay for their promotional materials and other operating costs.
Beyond that, he said they would hope to have found corporate sponsorship and other grants to keep the ball rolling.
Mr Deaner added that Neighbourhood Watch groups not only educated the community on how to stay safe, but ensured people did not take matters into their own hands when they shouldn't.
"If something happens, people instantly want to react and go and take their own action, whereas Neighbourhood Watch is always working to prevent those bad things from happening to begin with, as well as guiding people on the right course of action," he said.
"It's all about crime prevention and helping people avoid trouble, as well as knowing how to deal with it if they do get into trouble."
With the end goal focused on receiving funding in line with other states, Mr Deaner urged the government to see the value in their work.
"It's simple stuff that makes a big difference," he said.
"We have worked so hard in our own time to do the work for the past five to six years and get Neighbourhood watch where it is today, and now we need a bit of help for a good cause."
Wagga State MP Joe McGirr vouched for the group's value in "preventing crime and keeping people safe".
"It's great there is interest in reinvigorating Neighbourhood Watch," he said.
"They have formed a statewide body, but I have been told a few members are currently bearing the costs themselves.
"I am arranging to meet with Mr Deaner, and other statewide representatives of Neighbourhood Watch, to see if we can help, especially with making the right connections with the government to get support."
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