The Star: January 26, 2023

Thursday January 26 2023 The Star
• By Tony Simons
AN ORGANISED group of
unofficial police intelligence
gatherers has been formed in
the Cass Bay – Governors Bay
area to help police intercept
drivers for ‘anti-social’ driving
behaviour.
It has contributed to nine
different drivers and car owners
being dealt with over the past
five months for a number of
driving offences, including doing
burnouts and skids, as well
as failing to give information to
police. Several cars have also
been impounded.
The informal group was
formed after a meeting
between police, bay residents
and community leaders about
how best to deal with bad
driver behaviour in the area,
particularly between Lyttelton
and Governors Bay.
A member, Cass Bay resident
Scott Adams, said he knew of
six cars stopped near Rāpaki
for excessive noise, which were
probably intercepted as a result
of information the group had
provided.
Sergeant Anna Partridge said
it was a challenge putting a stop
to speeding and noisy driving
because police didn’t have the
resources to patrol all the time
and, by the time locals report an
incident, the perpetrators have
often moved on.
The partnership with locals
gathering information to send to
police “helps us see patterns so
we can take appropriate action”
at the best times, she said.
“We thank locals for their
help, which has allowed
police to obtain sufficient
evidence to impound and
green sticker vehicles.
(It’s) building trust and
confidence with the local
community.”
Said Adams: “The
boy-racer problem has
probably got worse since
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Residents combat speedsters
Anna
Partridge
the Evans Pass to Lyttelton Rd
was reopened and lockdown was
lifted.”
It was a problem all the way
from Sumner to Lyttelton to
Dyers Pass and Gebbies Pass,
with drivers treating the roads
like a race track, he said.
Said Partridge: “The
harbour basin also acts
a bit like an auditorium,
with driving
noise amplified around
the
hills, making it a
particular problem.”
Police recognised the
TEAM UP:
An informal
group of
residents has
formed to
help police
intercept
anti-social
drivers in the
Cass Bay –
Governors
Bay area.
distress the behaviour caused
the community and said the
number of prosecutions sent a
clear message that anti-social
driving would not be tolerated.
Several other vehicles have
also been identified and are still
being actively being sought by
police.
Anyone with information
that could assist in identifying
those involved can contact
police on 105, or give
information anonymously
through Crime Stoppers
on 0800 555 111. Police also
welcome 111 calls.
NEWS 13
Top Club
members
reopen
institution
• By Tony Simons
THE LYTTELTON Top Club
will reopen from 2pm today
after members accepted a plan
to resurrect the 150-year-old
institution.
Less than a month ago the club
announced it was closing, but a
“white knight” group of locals has
stepped up to save it.
The group – four members of
the club with business experience
– has taken over governance of
the club.
Spokesperson Dwayne Pool
said the group put its rescue plan
to members at a special general
meeting earlier this month and it
was accepted.
Pool said the new governance
group has worked with engineers
and insurers to develop a maintenance
and repair plan that has
enabled the reopening.
“We have been in contact with
all the club’s suppliers, and all
are happy to continue supplying
goods and services, so thank you
to them all,” he said.
He also said previous staff were
given first option on positions.
Join us for a fun day out,
run jog or walk our new 6km
and 12km course!
19th March
2023
Entry packs on sale at one of the
stores below from 30th January 2023:
City Market • Barrington • Prebbleton • Parklands • Merivale • Edgeware
Also on sale in store at from 30th January 2023
Or register online at www.city2Surf.co.nz to enter
Read local