Raetihi retailers "had enough"

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 8, 21 July 1987, Page 1

Raetihi retailers "had enough"

Raetihi retailers have had all they are going to take of criminal goings-on in the community and are rallying together to try to put a stop to it. Business people met last week to air their outrage at the continuing incidences of burglaries and break-ins of businesses Criminal activity has been rife in the community for several months and shop owners are convinced that many members of the public know who is responsible. The high rate of burglaries in Raetihi has been blamed on the loss of a resident policeman in Raetihi, after Trevor Pullen's departure in April. The post was vacant until Constable Wayne Mills from Taihape came to bridge the gap until a new permanent officer could take up the position. Raetihi's new Police Constable John Robinson

arrived last week. The number of burglaries swelled during the three weeks the town was without a resident policeman as some delays werc experienced in getting police back-up to the area, from Ohakune. Criminal activity is only slowly decreasing in the community. Constable Robinson blamed public apathy for the continuing crime problem. "It is in the public's best interests to speak upwhoever is committing these crimes is stealing from the community and the public know who's doing what," he said. "It's a small community and everybody knows each other - no one wants to inform on those people responsible." Constable Robinson said there have been instances when offenders were being detained for burglaries that have not even been reported to the police.

An attempt by the Ruapehu Lion's Club last year to establish a neighbourhood watch group in the Waimarino was shelved due to lack of public support. Constable Robinson said that lack of response was an example of the apathy of the general public. A special public meeting to promote greater community awareness is to be held on 27 July. In the month of June, six businesses and nine homes were burgled in Raetihi. Property stolen was estimated at about $40,000 and to date, only $8,000 in property has been recovered. Raetihi Police have reported charging four persons with burglary or related offences. This month to date, four businesses have been broken into. About $10,000 in property has been stolen. So far nothing has been recovered and no-one charged for the offences.