The Star: August 03, 2017

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16 Thursday August 3 2017 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi The Star News Keeping the peace while others go The Star continues its series on the work police in Canterbury are doing on crime prevention, heading off trouble before it starts. Bridget Rutherford reports on the Police Support Unit IT’S 6PM on a Friday. After-work drinks have begun, university students are prepping for parties, and everyone is excited the weekend has arrived. But as the rest of the city kicks back, the Police Support Unit goes into overdrive. The unit deals with keeping the public order, major event policing, monitoring licensed premises, and supporting other police units when needed. Senior Sergeant Gordon Spite, who is in charge of the unit’s 21 staff, said in the areas they covered, alcohol played a significant role. Most Friday and Saturday nights, the unit is called to multiple parties – many of which are hosted by university students in Riccarton and Ilam. While many are random callouts, police already know some are happening. With the launch of the Good One website in 2014, people are now able to give police a headsup and, in turn, police can give them some words of wisdom before the party. A host can go onto the website and register their party, along with the address, time and date, and their name and phone number. The police District Command Centre is then notified and an email is sent to the host with tips for keeping the party under control. A “risk assessment” is done based on the number of people attending and the demographic. “If there were 20 people we wouldn’t worry, but if there were 250 people, we’d be a little concerned about that,” Senior Sergeant Spite said. He said police don’t want to ruin parties. It takes about two hours to shut one down, with up to 20 staff. “We’re taking staff away from stuff they should be at.” After they start at 6pm, the unit will visit or drive past the party addresses to make sure everything is running smoothly. If needed, officers can go inside and ask if the host needs any assistance. Once they’ve visited, it’s rare for them to go back a second time, Senior Sergeant Spite said. “The spin-offs have been great. There’s less police time spent dealing with these sorts of incidents, less victimisation and less offending,” he said. “It appeals to people’s innate desire to do the right thing.” The statistics speak for themselves. Last year, the unit attended 825 parties, made up of about 64,000 people. Between 2015 and 2016, there had been a 54 per cent reduction in disorder, 44 per cent reduction in assaults, 27 per cent reduction in damage, and a 22 per cent reduction in noise. PREVENTION: Senior Sergeant Gordon Spite said the Police Support Unit works alongside the University of Canterbury Students’ Association to help run events and The Foundry. PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER Senior Sergeant Spite said often hosts could be naive, or unaware of how quickly things could get out of control. Social media did not help. But he said not everyone was receptive to Good One, and would not register. Often those were the ones that needed to be shut down. And at times, it could get “ugly”. The unit has formation, baton and shield training half a day each week. Protective gear, such as helmets, are always on hand. “I hear people say it incites the crowd if you wear protective equipment. But I see it like a builder going into the building site. If a bottle flies, my guys are going to put on helmets. I can’t afford to have injured staff,” Senior Sergeant Spite said. “We just have to make that assessment on the night.” Vero and AA Insurance May Extinguish Unresolved EQ Claims Vero and AA Insurance have refused to give a blanket extension to the date that they will plead the Limitation Act as a defence to unresolved earthquake claims. This will mean that any claim against them for earthquake damage caused more than 6 years ago, which has not been filed in either the District Court or the High Court before 5pm on 4 September 2017, will be relying on the good faith of those insurers to pay any amount over the EQC cap. There is a possibility that these claims may still be able to be enforced, if the courts decide that the limitation period starts from a date other than the date of damage. For example, Tower has stated that it believes the limitation period starts from when a claim is settled or rejected by it. You will still be able to request your insurer pay your claim after the deadline, but you will not be able to challenge their assessment of the value of the claim in court. You will simply have to trust and accept what they say they should pay you. This is not a position you want to be in. If you think there is even a small chance of your claim with Vero or AA Insurance going over cap, or that there is damage that has not been correctly scoped, repaired or paid out for you should contact your insurer and ask if they will extend the deadline for you. You must get written confirmation of the extension from them to protect your claim. If you have not lodged a claim with your insurer, you should do so immediately. If Vero or AA will not confirm in writing that they will not be relying on the Limitation Act, you must file a claim in the District Court before 5pm on 4 September 2017 to protect your claim. This will cost you $200 in filing fees, plus lawyer’s fees. If you can’t afford this, contact Earthquake Services who can assist you. THERE IS NO TIME TO DELAY, YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW The deadline may apply to all claims, including ones where EQC have not yet put it over cap, and also to claims that have been settled by EQC by repair or by payment, where there is further damage that has not been repaired or paid for. Contact us today - call 03 377 8855 or visit earthquakeservices.co.nz. We’re located at 127 Ferry Road, Christchurch.
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday August 3 2017 17 out and have fun at the weekend Senior Sergeant Spite said it was common for bottles to be thrown at officers. He had been hit himself. Often the problematic parties were attended by the same people, many of them under-18. Officers recognised them because they had caused trouble previously. When it came to major events, such as sports fixtures, Cup and Show Week, and concerts, intoxication was a problem. But the key was to make sure those people didn’t get in the gate. “If in doubt, keep them out,” Senior Sergeant Spite said. “The problem at the door is multiplied by 10 the moment you let them in the door.” But over the last four years he had been in charge of the unit, there had been a huge improvement, he said. “We’ve seen really good improvements in the way the events are being run. The operators are doing alcohol management plans and planning for contingencies.” The role of police in the unit is to watch over the event cordon and just the presence of officers can help prevent trouble. Traditionally, cricket matches Improvement at parties from 2015 to 2016 •54 per cent reduction in disorder •44 per cent reduction in assaults •27 per cent reduction in damage •22 per cent reduction in noise had been problematic because people were sitting drinking in the sun all day. But Senior Sergeant Spite said that had changed since Hagley Oval was established. “That cricket ground is awesome. It’s the environment, it’s family-focused. It has a huge impact on the behaviour of people.” He said they liked to look at the crowd’s behaviour as a whole at each event. One drunk person being kicked out did not put a dampener on a good event, he said. Each event is policed, based on what it is. For example, they would put more staff on a rugby match that was between higher ranked teams, Senior Sergeant Spite said. Some musicians playing concerts could be “perceived as higher risk”, he said. FRIENDLY: Traditionally cricket matches have been problematic for police, but the “family-focussed” environment at Hagley Oval has improved behaviour. “Somebody like Elton John is not going to attract problems.” The unit also does a lot of work with universities when planning for particular events, such as Canterbury’s Tea Party, and Lincoln’s Garden Party to make sure they run smoothly. “The event itself is not the problem, the real risk is before.” The unit also collaborates on all student association events, and works with the University of Canterbury Students’ Association to run The Foundry. The unit’s 21 officers are some of the most recognised faces in police, Senior Sergeant Spite said. That’s because they walk the beat. They are out talking to people during the day, and are monitoring behaviour during the night, particularly on the weekends. The earthquakes have had a big impact. Because bars are now spread out, congregations of people are rare. Senior Sergeant Spite said when he walked the beat before the quakes, the intersection of Colombo and Hereford Sts was a hot spot for fighting and indecent behaviour. “Everyone would converge on that corner because they would be going for a feed. There were all these different groups and just this constant clash and the place just looked like a bomb zone.” But now, officers had to drive to where the bars were, rather than covering the central city on foot. “One of our biggest concerns is people not sticking together in town.” Officers were out patrolling making sure those people got home safely, he said. “The weather has a huge affect on public order. If it’s raining, we won’t be particularly busy outside.” At times, the unit was called to help in other areas, like the Port Hills fire and evacuations during the recent flooding. Senior Sergeant Spite said he was happy with his unit’s commitment to keeping people safe. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” “I’M SO GLAD WE MADE THE MOVE WHEN WE DID.” See Enid & Neville’s story at summerset.co.nz “So many leave it too late and miss out.” Enid and Neville have lived at their As Enid says, “We settled in beautifully, Summerset retirement village apartment enjoying all the facilities, regular activities for over five years. and being close to friends.” Neville had suffered ill-health for some Neville’s advice is, “Once you make the time and wanted to know that Enid would decision to do it, do it.” be safe and well looked after should anything happen to him. Come and see why we love the life at Summerset Morning Tea & Tour Wednesday 9 August, 10.30am Summerset at Wigram 135 Awatea Road, Christchurch Contact Anne Walker on 03 741 0872 or 022 639 2341 wigram.sales@summerset.co.nz Love the life SUM0675_18x8
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