Criminals and people behaving in dangerous and/or anti-social ways know the chances of them being caught are slim.

The seemingly lack of adequate policing in the town has been a problem for a long time ... borne out, in my own experience, by the extended wait times for a response when police are called.

I have been advised by the Police Hotline to call them, as there will then always be a record of the call and the incident to which it refers.

It's past time we had a proper police presence in the community, but I expect our wait for a police station will have to be put alongside our wait for an ambulance station, completed paths and proper public toilets.

Housing development is all very well, but it should be matched by an extension of community needs as well.

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On the afternoon of August 27 we did our weekly shopping at Coles in Tanilba Bay.

After putting in the coin for the trolley and nearly finishing our shopping I realised that my wallet was missing.

It was a shocking feeling to think that we would have to go through all the trouble of canceling the number of credit and identification cards in the wallet, in addition to losing the cash.

I went back to the car - nothing. I chased back to the hardware which I had visited before - nothing.

We had no choice but to put all the groceries back, but before we left I asked the nice young lady at the main desk if anyone had handed in a wallet.

Remarkably, a guy had found it and taken it straight over to the counter.

The same thing had happened to him only a few days earlier, we were told, and knowing exactly how we would feel the person handed in the wallet.

We wanted to thank the good Samaritan personally, but unfortunately he left without leaving his name.

If by chance that person is reading this letter, we would like to thank you for your kindness.

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The directors of the Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network (PSSPN) have made the difficult decision to postpone the annual Remembrance Walk at Iluka Reserve, Boat Harbour on Saturday, September 12.

The NSW Government Health orders currently in place to manage COVID-19 mean that the event cannot be conducted in an appropriate manner.

The intention of the PSSPN directors is to continually monitor the situation and reschedule the event when the number of people permitted at an outdoor event is increased to a level that makes the event viable.

We encourage our many friends and supporters to consider making a personal visit to Iluka Reserve to remember your lost loved ones and friends.

Updates will be provided on the PSSPN Facebook page.

Michael Murray, president PSSPN

ALSO READ: Letters to the Editor: September 3

With all the adverse publicity surrounding the aged care industry, I deem it a privilege to be associated with Harbourside Haven, its dedicated staff, volunteers and our independent living and aged care residents.

In a community like Port Stephens with limited government funding, this not-for-profit organisation still maintains a high level of care to the aged and frail residents in their care.

Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and families of the residents of this great community.