Step 1 - Identifying the need for a NHWQ group

The first step involves identifying five to 10 other like minded community members and meeting with them to discuss local crime problems and issues and how a NHWQ group could improve community safety.

This step is also used to identify key community partners like the local council and others who could be involved in supporting the establishment of a NHWQ group. Some key questions and important considerations during this step are:

• Can you spare the time required to get a NHWQ group started?
• Are you prepared to work with other community members?
• Is there an existing active NHWQ group within your division and could you add your area to that group?
• Are there other volunteer community groups that are looking at community safety issues and could you join them?

A preliminary geographical area that you want your NHWQ group to represent should be planned in preparation for the next step.

All NHWQ areas fall within a police division and they are not limited to any number of homes or streets. The size of NHWQ areas in your community will be determined through consultation between local police and the local community.

All police divisional boundaries throughout Queensland have been mapped as NHWQ divisions. This makes it easier for police to provide relevant and timely community safety and crime information to NHWQ groups.

After careful consideration of these issues you may determine that a NHWQ group is not needed at this time. If you think it is, then you should contact your local police station to find out how the QPS supports NHWQ and specifically how they can support you.