Raetihi residents to take action

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 16, 20 September 1983, Page 1

Raetihi residents to take action

Security is a problem that isconcerning many residents of Raetihi ... about 40 of them attended a hastily arranged 'law and order' meeting in the Raetihi Borough Council Chambers last week to discuss the situation. That meeting made front page headliries in a major provincial newspaper last week and was followed up last Wednesday night with a news item on Television One. The following day Chief Inspector Bernie Rowe, second in command of the Wanganui police district expressed his concern for the sa'fety of Raetihi's police constable. The public meeting last Tuesday night attracted mainly private residents rather than the business community but another meeting is beitrg planned for this week which will be aimed at the owners of commercial premises ... they are asked to get in touch with D'Arcy Newson for more details. Last week's meeting which was also attended by local Constable Marty Sutherland and Detective Sergeant Richard Higginson from Taihape, decided to

form a 'watch and report' patrol group. It was made quite clear at the meeting that this was not going to be a vigilante group which would mete out. its own rough justice — that would not be condoned by the police. It was instead to be a law-and-order group of anonymous citizens who would volunteer, on a roster system. to observe, rec'ord and report any suspicious activities around the town, both by day and night. By taking it in turns and remaining anonymous the work would be shared and the identities of those in the patrol group. would make it ' very difficult for those involved in the commission of crime to know that they have been observed and reported on. It was to be a more active form of the 'Neighbourhood Watch' system extended to the whole town, said D'Arcy Newson. Residential and commercial areas would be 'patrolled' by these silent, ever-watchful citizens who would note down car numbers, observe any unusual behaviour, report any signs of damage or

evidence of breaking and entering to the police. Interviewed on the television programme were Carrick Workman, deputy mayor, Kevin Miller, Raetihi borough foreman and local pharmacist D'Arcy Newson, who all expressed concern for the safety of the local policeman if Raetihi is to remain a single constable police station as proposed under the new staffing establishment for the Waimarino. - Onder this proposal the Waimarino is" to have a police sergeant but he will be stationed in Ohakune when Raetihi's second police house is uplifted and relocated in Ohakune. Residents and ratepayers of Raetihi are angry^about this decision and through their Council are making - representations to the Minister of Police for the second police house to be retained in Raetihi. A deputation will be travelling to Wellington this week. The presence of a second constable in Raetihi at night — even if he has to travel from Ohakune — would alleviate the pressure on the town's sole policeman.