Move for council to help fight crime

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 521, 1 February 1994, Page 9

Move for council to help fight crime

by Ruapehu District mayor Garrick Workman It would seem the removal of public seating in Seddon Street, Raetihi, has overcome the town's most recent problems of a few foul-mouthed 'sebastians', perching themselves on the seats in front of retail premises and then proceeding to abuse and intimidate Raetihi retailers and shoppers alike. What that action most certainly has not achieved is to resolve the underlying problem of dealing with undisciplined, abusive and destructive children who will, if not checked, rain the image of the town and continue to create hell for those who find themselves victims of their offensive behaviour. While I was concerned about the manner in which the seats were removed, I am far more concerned about the escalating problem of youth

offending and the havoc it is creating in communities like Raetihi. Prior to this issue arising I spoke to Police Sergeant Bob Evans about the need for the Police to be more visible in the retail areas of Raetihi and Ohakune and outlined the concerns of Raetihi retailers who were bitterly angry about the spate of burglaries and shop windows being broken in the town's retail centre. It was presumed one individual in particular, acting as a ring-leader of these children, was either fully or partly responsible for the offences occurring. I have since been assured by Sergeant Evans that Raetihi can expect a more visible police presence in future, particularly if these problems continue, with greater emphasis being placed on community policing.

Further to that discussion I spoke to the local probation officer from Taihape who expressed a desire to have the council assist the Justice Department by providing work for and supervision of, those offenders who have been convicted and sentenced to carry out community service. I'm hopeful the Council will assist in this regard. It is important that justice is done and seen to be done. An example of that type of punishment was imposed recently in Ohakune when one of our police officers made sure several young graffiti offenders removed their scrawl off private and retail premises in full view of the public. I am sure we all applaud the action the police took on this occasion and maybe in future where children are caught in similar circumstances, fronting up and apologising to property owners should be consid-

eredaswell. However it is in the area of crime prevention that council and its communities combined, have the opportunity to make a real impact in the battle against crime. The advent of the Safer Community Council concept and the moves Government is making in the field of crime prevention are initiatives that should result in a reduction in crime. Everyone has a role to play in crime prevention and I believe the time is right to introduce the Safer Community Council concept to the Ruapehu District. Only by working together with the Police to prevent crime occurring, by working to eliminate the root cause of crime and by taking a tougher line with those who do offend will we make any real inroad into the problem.