Council's U-turn over secret meeting on 'anti-social behaviour' at bus hub
By reporter Hamish McNeilly:
Anti-social behaviour at Dunedin’s bus hub has led to a secret trial – including on-bus security, a previously public excluded council memo has revealed.
The bus hub on Great King St – the same street as the Dunedin Central Police Station – has made headlines for all the wrong reasons since it opened in March 2019.
The incidents, some of which were caught on video and supplied to Stuff, included a girl kicking a disabled man in the head, and teenage boys fighting each other. One Dunedin high school told its students to arrive at the hub just five minutes before their bus departed.
An agenda item, previously withheld from the public, reveals the council was seeking "approval for the continuation of the Dunedin bus network security trial for the remaining eight months of the 2023-24 financial year".
It noted an increasing volume of antisocial behaviour on the Dunedin bus network has been reported in the media, and to the council throughout the last year.
"The presence of a network of CCTV cameras, and a police station, in the bus hub has not significantly impacted these behaviours," the agenda item said.
"Anti-social behaviour in and around public transport settings is not unique to Dunedin."
Transport staff implemented a trial security presence at the bus hub, beginning December 2022, which has led to a decline incidents.
Further incidents in March 2023, and feedback from transport operators, led to the trial security services extended "to cover a targeted security presence on buses".
"They provide a visible presence to deter bad behaviour and are trained at de-escalation."
The funding allocated for the security trial is due to expire end-November 2023 and the council’s transport staff were seeking an extension of this trial to the end of the financial year.
The cuncil was asked to continue that security trial to June 30, 2024, at a cost of $126,000.
"Withdrawing the on-bus service increases the potential for driver assaults, robberies, and other incidents that have occurred over the past two years or more on the Dunedin network," the agenda said.
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.5% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.4% Hmm, maybe?
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11.1% Yes!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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