Bay Harbour: March 29, 2017

PAGE 6 BAY HARBOUR Latest Christchurch news at www. .kiwi
Wednesday March 29 2017
A BRANCH OF
Your Local Views
Police expected to do more with less
Michael Toomey
mft@younghunter.co.nz
Proudly providing
legal advice to
the community
for 25 years
Michelle Rossiter
mjr@younghunter.co.nz
P. 384-5350
www.younghunter.co.nz
Labour
Party MP
Ruth Dyson
writes about
the police
presence
in Lyttelton
and
encouraging residents
to get involved in the
community patrol
A lot of people in our
communities grew up in an
era where you could leave your
house open when you went out
and when you came home, it
was safe and secure.
The local cop knew everyone
in the neighbourhood and
knew how to respond to problems
– and how to avoid them
arising in the first place.
People looked out for their
neighbours. There was less
inequality and more inclusion
and respect in our communities.
There has been a lot of talk
recently – and of course, it
takes off now on social media
– about the lack of presence
of police and the increase in
crime.
It might be what official statistics
describe as “lower level
crime” but if you have had stuff
stolen from your car or your
car itself stolen, if your home
has been burgled or if your
fence has been tagged – these
intrusions into your life can be
pretty disturbing.
We know that the police
are now being expected to do
far more with less. The Lyttelton
station which covers all
the Bay Harbour News area,
had, in 2010, 12 staff. This
number included a detective,
an investigator and a watch
house keeper. The rest were
uniformed staff.
They now have just five plus
the sergeant. They also had
staff based at the Sumner police
station which hasn’t been used
by the police for several years
now. So the police presence is
just not there as it used to be.
Two things that were obvious
from the recent community
police meeting in Lyttelton.
One was that people really
appreciated the work the police
do – and the fact they engaged
RESPECT:
A meeting
between
police and the
community was
held recently to
cover concerns
and provide
information as
to how police
operate in the
area.
at the meeting. The main
thing that people wanted was
to see the police around their
area – and to know they are
there when we need them.
And from the police was the
news that there is a “spare”
community patrol car available
for Lyttelton area. It just needs
volunteers trained and keen to
do the work.
Lyttelton is always up for a
challenge and I am sure it will
be for this one.
• To find out more or to
join the City to Sumner
Community Patrol email
christiealoc@xtra.co.nz
•More local views, p8