Kia ora Wānaka and welcome to another round up of what’s been happening in your patch this week from your team in blue on Ballantyne Road.

This past week has seen an increase in single vehicle crashes. These have been rolling over or sliding out onto the side of the road. Fortunately, we have not had any reports of injuries, but it seems some of the vehicles have not been up to warrant-of-fitness standard. Remember this is a safety check of your vehicle and is an important part of driving your vehicle on the road, not just a nice to have sticker in your windscreen.

Other causes have been due to impairment or inattention to the road at the time. So please at this time of year leading up to the festive season, get your vehicle checked safety-wise and focus on your driving, it may save you or someone else’s life.

Also, a timely reminder to keep check on your property. When loading your vehicles to go somewhere have a double check to see if you have everything. It is a prime time for opportunists to take advantage of things you may leave behind accidentally. Don’t leave valuable items sitting in places where they can be a temptation to others to take.

Unfortunately, this is not the Wānaka of old and you really should lock cars and hide valuables when you are not around to keep an eye on them.

We had a couple of family harm events this past week, so once again a timely reminder that this time of year can become very stressful on families and has the occasion to spill over into areas where help is required. So, if you are feeling things are getting on top of you, please look for the help as it is there.

Still a lot of scams around in various shapes and forms. These are coming in by text message, phone call and email. They will sound very plausible, as if they are trying to help you, to get you to give your bank account login details. Some may be threatening if you don’t do what they ask.

If you get one, delete the text or email and hang up on the call, don’t engage with them as they will be very persuasive. These will purport to be from either banks or major companies such as Chorus or Spark. Be vigilant as there are many who want to take your money in any way they can.

Please don’t give them the opportunity as this is very difficult to retrieve and even track down the source as many come from overseas.

Booze, the old demon, is starting to get hold of people again and making them do unsavoury things in and around town. There have been a few incidents on Friday and Saturday nights over the last weeks in town where people have over indulged. Always remember the staff on duty have the right to ask you to leave or refuse entry if you are intoxicated.

Well enough of that, now I expect Santa has the Elves working overtime to get all the toys ready for this year, and the reindeer are on super cut diets and doing cross fit to be able to pull the sleigh all night. So, if he’s working hard to make sure everyone has a great Christmas shouldn’t we do the same.

Well, that’s all for now folks, have a great week and stay safe.