[Daisyspop]

The local free newspaper The Franklin County News, two issues a week, is really a vehicle for realtors and local shopkeepers but: every Thursday a police report is issued which lists and plots on a streetmap, the burglaries during the past week. I don't know if this is the norm in NZ but I find it extremely useful. Firstly it helps to identify, for new house purchasers, the areas of consistent risk, but secondly it serves as a weekly reminder to keep security in mind in all aspects of life. The report also contains listings of offences and convictions (far more car thieves and drunken drivers than nabbed burglars), and a report from the local Senior Sergeant of Police. Interestingly and somewhat surprisingly he tends to identify stretches of road or intersections that will be receiving particular attention over the coming week. Doesn't seem to deter the people reported the following week as being caught at those locations though.