Perspective on Raetihi crime

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 10, 4 August 1987, Page 1

Perspective on Raetihi crime

Nearly 100 people attended a meeting Monday night last week at the Raetihi School Hall to discuss ways to prevent crime in the township. Raetihi has been the scene for dozens of burglaries and countless cases of petty crime over the last few months and is in the position of having the second highest crime rate in New Zealand, per head of population. The meeting was instigated by the business sector who have been particularly hard hit, with some being burgled repeatedly. The meeting was chaired by Jeremy Trebilcock, manager of Elders Pastoral in Raetihi. A wide crosssection of the community were in attendance. From the meeting, it was decided that a list of priorities for the town be drawn up, with number one priority being the appointment of a second policeman for Raetihi. Constable John Robinson stated that the crime problem was not simply a police matter, but more a community problem. Mr Trebilcock said it is up to the community to be the eyes and ears. "Some people expect too much of the police force," he said. "Raetihi will eventually be the loser; some businesses could possibly pull out of the area - others may scale down their business and there will be no prospect of enticing new business to the town. "Our first move is to get the crime problem into

some sort of perspective and set about getting another policeman to share the workload." Mr Trebilcock said a move has already been made by Raetihi Borough and Mayor Garrick Workman, who approached Wanganui's police commissioner. Remaining priorities include: • The appointment by the Social Welfare Department of a full-time social worker based in the Waimarino. • The establishment of a youth club and Blue Light Discos. The concensus at the meeting was there was not enough for young peo-' ple to do and statistics indicated that children aged 10 to 19 were responsible for the high incidence of petty crimes. • The community exercise responsibility and report criminal activity. • The formation of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for the whole of the Waimarino area. Earlier attempts to establish watch schemes in both Ohakune and Raetihi failed, largely due to lack of support and general apathy. Mr Trebilcock said Raetihi's Maori community had made clear their full support for any moves forthcoming from the meeting. Another meeting will be called within a month and an action committee will be formed to carry out remaining priorities.