POLICE PROTECTION IN LEVIN.

Otaki Mail, 19 September 1923, Page 3

POLICE PROTECTION IN LEVIN.

INCIDENTS ON SUNDAY NIGHT. A disgraceful disturbance was created in "Levin on Sunday night—happih- a rare occurrence in the towu- — (savs the "Levin Chronicle"), by a par'tj- of youths who arrived here by car from another town. It, is stated that they were partly under the influence of liquor. At any rate they indulged in most objectionable behaviour) in the main street, shouting, singing and using foul and abusive language to passers-by, many of whi#m w ere church-goers. In' some eases ladies and young girls were molested, rendering it necessary for them to seek escorts. Later in the evening they visited a. local church, entering the building during the service and interrupting the .worshippers it) such a manner as to render their presence impossible. Eventually the party took their de- ( parture, leaving a. souvenir of a most unwelcome visit in the shape of a.' beer bottle thrown into the mam street. The matter was referred to at the meeting of the Levin Borough Council last night by Or. Keedwell, who said it was time the Council took the matter of police protection in Levin . up with the Police Department, especially the Department's action in per-; iodically taking the second police j officer away from the town oa relieving duty in other districts. It was unfair to Levin and this district and unfair to the remaining officer to take one member of the local force away (o Otaki for six weeks at a time. Country people come to town to get a permit" to purchase a pound of gebg-| iiite, or something of the sort, and | when thev got here they found that the! only man who could grant them the permit was miles away gathering ii) statistics or on other police business. Cr. Keedwell then referred to Sundav night's incidents. as outlined above." A band of young hooligans came to Levin, he said, from a southern town just about church lime. Thev patrolled the streets using lib and' abusive language. They molestVft women in the streets until they had to seek protection,- and they went round to one of the church services and behaved in such a way that they had to be put out. In one case one of these individuals put his arm round a lady's neck, and when she defended herself r he m*od most, abusjve langv uage ' Thev could not expect one police officer to be on duty day and ! night and it was quite time the Council took some action. Cr, Jveedwell added that Be heard some of the iilthv language used ami also took the . number of the car. He moved the' the Council protest to the Police De- , partment against the inadequate police protection afforded the town. Cr. Rydoi said the disturbance would have taken place, if there had been a dozen policemen here. '' ' Or. McAllister said 'he heard thai ". the youths Were invited to the plaoi . j of worship. Cr Mortensou said the fact that tin constable had to act as clerk of ItCour'i meant that he had very lit time for actual police work. - Cr Roe seconded the motion an. '* commented on the enormous amoun " of work and many duties allotted t " the local constables He consul,-,,- »- the Weraroa constable's house shoul n- i„. connected with the telephone. h cr IC-cdwell said that would »c have helped on Sunday as the e: ch.n-'e was closed. .The 'motion w-ns carrred, Counc. i«™ evnressin" the opinion that tl \ e behVnour of fhe youths« be r *; ported to the police if it had not n I ready been done.