Retired Volunteer Runs Pukekohe's Community Patrol for Years

While most retirees settle into quiet routines, Peter Logan chose a different path: protecting his neighbors around the clock.

Logan serves as chairman of the Pukekohe Community Patrol in New Zealand, where he's devoted years to organizing volunteer safety efforts. His nominator Steve Brace says Logan handles everything from patrol rosters to fundraising while still finding time to patrol the streets himself.

The role demands constant attention. Logan coordinates volunteers, ensures someone's always watching, and manages the week-to-week operations that keep the patrol running smoothly. He also helps monitor security cameras at the local police station, adding another layer of community protection.

Community patrols fill a crucial gap in public safety across New Zealand. These volunteer groups act as extra eyes and ears for police, deterring crime through visible presence and reporting suspicious activity. In smaller communities like Pukekohe, they're often the difference between an incident being caught quickly or going unnoticed.

What makes Logan's service remarkable isn't just the hours he puts in. It's the leadership required to keep a volunteer organization functioning year after year when many similar groups struggle with burnout and recruitment.

Sunny's Take

Logan's story reminds us that retirement doesn't mean stepping back from community life. It can mean stepping up in new ways. His wife supports his commitment to service, proving that making a difference often takes a village, starting at home.

The Franklin Times recognized Logan with their Community Hero award, which includes a $50 voucher from sponsor Little Ed Pukekohe. But the real reward might be simpler: neighbors who sleep a little easier knowing someone's watching out for them, not because they're paid to, but because they choose to.