Recipe Book - Taupo District Council

Taupö District Safe Community
social behaviour, crime patterns and matters of concern. Reported in full
under Case Study 20.
Taupö Safer Community Trust
Following the murder of Karen Aims in Taupö in 2008, strong local
government lobbying culminated with the formation of the Taupö Safer
Community Trust. (Trust deed attached as appendix.)
Since inception the Trust has concentrated on Crime Prevention activities in
the Central Business area of Taupö and has been successful in increasing
the number of security cameras installed in the CBD. These are very useful
in identifying possible breaches of the peace, in determining identity of
offenders for disorderly behaviour and violence. The monitor is situated in
the Watch-house at the Taupö Police Station, and this is manned during the
relevant late evening and early morning troublesome times. Alcohol related
harm has been reduced as result of the cameras, which in themselves are
a deterrent to some of the offending.
Multiple Streams Focus
Turangi Tongariro & Mangakino Safe Community
Groups
Turangi operates “Turangi/Tongariro Safer Community Council” and
“Mangakino Safer Community Group” this work across all three working
streams. These organisations meet bi-monthly, and membership is made
up from social, volunteer, government departments, and interested groups
working in their respective towns. Agenda items include projects on safety,
injury and crime prevention issues current, such as Graffiti removal, youth
activities, elderly health issues, alcohol harm, family violence, crime,
road safety, fire safety etc. The Project Manager – Safe Communities is a
member of both organisations.
The Trust has sourced funding and obtained two Segway mobility vehicles.
These have been modified and had sign writing, blue and red flashing
lights installed, and are used by the local Police as a means of integrating
with the community. There are moves afoot to change the current by-laws re
allowing these on footpaths and roads in and around the Taupö Township.
The Trust has also arranged the purchase of two mountain cycles for
use by Police in central Taupö for patrolling beaches, public places and
local cycle tracks. The Police see these two initiatives as further means of
engaging with the community.
The Trust are currently negotiating with local Landlords concerning underveranda
lighting and security lighting at rear of commercial premises.
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Taupö Safe District Project, also used the Trust as a vehicle for obtaining
funding to implement the highly successful project run over the Holiday
Festive Season, namely Taupö Community Ambassadors. Money was
sourced by the Taupö Safer Community Trust from the Craters of the Moon
Charitable Trust, and the project is on-going. The Trust is another example
of collaboration by the community in seeking to prevent crime and alcohol
related harm, and to make the residents and visitors to Taupö alike, feel
safe.