Toowoomba Man Awarded Neighbourhood Watch Queensland’s Member Of The Year For The Darling Downs

A Toowoomba retiree has been awarded the Neighbourhood Watch Queensland Member of the Year for the Darling Downs District.
Mr Brian Jentz, 74, is the Harristown Neighbourhood Watch coordinator (Area 14) and works hard to prevent and reduce crime and make his community feel safer.

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP congratulated Mr Jentz and thanked him for his dedication. “Brian has made significant contributions to the Harristown community including negotiating with Council to improve local school crossings, to the installation of new park seating and an off-leash dog area,” Mr Janetzki said.

“Before he retired, Brian was a school principal for 26 years – he has been a community leader for a long time and is working towards the goal of a safer community,” he said. “Neighbourhood Watch volunteers like Brian play a vital role in our community.”

Mr Jentz said he was surprised to receive the award.“It was a total surprise but it reflects all those who work hard in our Neighbourhood Watch Area 14 including the committee †we deliver 800 newsletters to houses in our area,” Mr Jentz said.

“During the awards ceremony, Criminology Professor Lorraine Mazerolle said her researched showed there was a 16% to 26% drop in crime in areas with Neighbourhood Watch †it is very important,” he said.

 Mr Jentz investigates a wide range of incidents in his role as Neighbourhood Watch coordinator.It was recently reported to Mr Jentz that a resident in Harristown had been putting out baits to poison birds.

A number of dead Currawongs and Myna birds have been found which had eaten the poisoned meat.

“It is unknown if this poison may affect dogs and cats eating the same bait or dead birds,” Mr Jentz said.

“It’s cruel to see the birds suffering and I have reported the incident to the local area inspector of the RSPCA who is investigating,” he said.