Apathy kills crime fight plan

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 681, 8 April 1997, Page 1

Apathy kills crime fight plan

It seems Ohakune and Raetihi people do not care about their high crime rate as there have been no takers for help in setting up a safer community council. Funding is available for crime prevention programmes in the southern Ruapehu, similar to those already operating in Taumarunui, but if the community wants it, members of the community need to do something about it, the Waimarino Community Board was told last week. The board heard that meetings had been held, organised by the Ruapehu Safer Community Council co-ordinator Pat McOnie, but that attendances had been poor. The board heard that Ms McOnie was not willing to take on any extra initiati ves unless there is enough support from within the community, but

so far the response has been poor. Requests were made for volunteers to form a group to work in the community but there were no offers, the board was informed. Mayor Weston Kirton said there seemed to be a reluctance to get involved. Ellen Gould said it was not reluctance but that "there was so much for so few people to do" and that the same people served on numerous committees. 'The people you would expect are so busy," she said. Mr Kirton told the board that the SCC funding is available to the whole district, not just Taumarunui, and that suitable initiati ves are invited. Turn to Page 2

Crime help plan killed by apathy

[ FROM PAGE 1 Board chairman Colin Webb said people can contact any of the Waimarino Community Board members for more information. Mrs McOnie recently

held discussions with the Maori Warden group to assist with reactivating membership. Meeting with PM Mr Kirton told board members he was to attend a

SCC function hosted by the prime minister, Jim Bolger. At that meeting Mr Bolger said the coalition government is committed to continuing its crime prevention programmes in

partnership with local communities, the Prime Minister said today. "In addition to areas which are already strategic priorities for the Crime Prevention Unit — such as addressing family violence and youth at risk — the needs of victims of crime are specifically addressed," he said in a press release. "Violence prevention and education programmes within schools and the community are supported and a more co-ordinated ap-

proach to family services is proposed. "Other supportive proposals relate to additional police resources, consideration of alternati ves to prison, and a focus on youth offending." "As a result of the strategy and in particular the work of SCCs there is now a changed perception of crime prevention. It is now seen as an issue which both government and the community can jointly own and address."