Hello Wanaka and surrounds.

It has been an interesting week this week and it appears the silly season is playing some of its usual tricks.

To give you a snapshot of some of the incidents we have dealt with this week.

We dealt with three crashes this week. Two of them the occupants were extremely lucky there were no serious injuries. I am sure plenty of you have seen the parked car that was hit on Anderson Road.

Two of the crashes seemed to involve distraction. We are pretty hot on distraction here as is the same elsewhere in the country. For example, if you are seen on your phone expect a ticket and demerits points that could risk your licence.

We have also been alerted to theft from local retailers where youths have cut labels from garments and taken items. Parents are asked to keep an eye out for their children coming home with new clothing items with labels cut off.

We have dealt with several Family Harm matters this week. Family harm is not acceptable in any form whether it be physical, emotional or psychological abuse.

We are looking into a matter where a deer fence has been cut to steal animals. That matter is under investigation with some information that may lead to those responsible.

I have seen an increase in cyclists riding without lights and helmets at night. This is going to end in infringement notices, get those lights and helmets sorted.

I also want to remind those using powerboats and jet skis on the lake to be responsible around other people enjoying the lake. If passing within 100 metres of another boat, you are not to exceed a speed of 5 knots. Please take note of the 5 knot buoys that are in place along the perimeter of the lake. This speed limit is regularly abused particularly by users of the boat ramp at the marina. Wanaka Yacht Club hosts learn to sail classes daily along here for children from the ages of 9 upwards and are regularly having to ask powerboat and jet ski users to slow down. The practice of coming through here at speed is reckless and terrifying for those new to sailing. The Harbour Master will be patrolling the lake and waterways, but I would appreciate if everybody keeps an eye out for each other.

We caught six drink drivers this week with some being well over three times the legal alcohol limit. Come on people, every one of these people were in a position where a friend or other person could have stopped them from drink driving.

Look after each other and have a good week.