From today the Kaitaia community is "taking back its streets" with a simple new crime fighting method.
Residents will blast an airhorn three times if they spot criminal activity or feel unsafe alerting others in the neighbourhood.
The idea was first raised on social media by Kaitaia man Matt Hobman and has taken off. Airhorns that were on sale at the Hunting and Fishing store have completely sold out and there's a long list of people that have ordered more.
Mr Hobman says he started the movement because he was fed up with all the crime in the area.
"There's been stolen cars, robberies, burglaries, home invasions and the police are so under resourced, I thought let's do something ourselves," said Mr Hobman.
Kaitaia locals gathered at a community meeting last night to launch the initiative and raise any concerns.
Mr Hobman stressed it's not vigilante but more about peace of mind and safety.
"When someone has an intruder, for an example, they blast the airhorn three times, it's scares the offender away while alerting others nearby. Neighbours will look out their windows or go onto the street and may see the offender running away and be able to positively identify that person to the police," he says.
Those who buy an airhorn will receive a sticker to put on their letterbox indicating they are part of the movement.
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