24 August 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Incident at Jean Batten Square
Enquiry (to Mayor Tapsell)
I am a journalist at the Rotorua Daily Post and working on a story about the bus stop on Arawa St. I am sure you saw the horrifying story this morning about the 13 year old girl that was beaten by a stranger this week. HEre it is:
We understand RLC had a contract with Watchdog Security for 18 months which ended three weeks ago.
Watchdog's Brett Wilson said during the contract, they manned the Arawa St bus stop between 3-4.30pm in stab-proof vests and delt with extremely violent behaviour from children/youth including a boy beaten so up until he had a badly broken leg, children filming planned fights, and children attempting to stab others.
He said the issues at that bus stop had been going on since at least October last year.
At the end of last year when the planned fights were happening, there were up to 7 security staff onsite for 2 weeks while tensions were heightened.
Wilson said this thuggery was not a new issue and the level of aggression seen signified problematic home lives and was a symptom of wider issues
He said if Watchdog was still employed when the girl was beaten this week: "We certainly would have intervened ... there certainly would have had a better chance of it being less severe.”
We also understand that the council changed the school bus route in recent weeks to bring less children to the Arawa St stop.
- What is your response to the violent attack this week?
- Were you aware this bus stop was such a hot spot for violence given all the incidents that happened there (only mentioned a handful above) and security staff needing to wear stab-proof vests?
- Why did the council end its contract with Watchdog?
- Do you regret the decision to end this contract?
- Will you be pushing to reinstate the contract with Watchdog? When?
- Are you aware of council changing the school bus route in the last few fews to bring less children to the Arawa bus stop? When did this happen and why?
Any other comments are welcome
Response
The reporter was informed that the questions related to Watchdog Security were operational and should be referred to the council organisation.
Mayor Tapsell provided the following statement:
“I am calling for the Minister of Police to urgently increase Police resource in Rotorua.
“The assault near a bus stop earlier this week is deeply distressing and completely unacceptable.
“The offender has been identified through council’s CCTV footage and we thank Police who responded very quickly.
“Security presence and responsiveness was already a priority in this area and we had noted a reduction in serious offences as a result. We also have monitored CCTV in place and work very closely with Police if incidents do occur.
“We want to reassure the community that public spaces are safe and we will be introducing further safety initiatives within the inner city over the next few months.
“Our Rotorua Library and Jean Batten Square are fantastic facilities for our community and everyone should feel safe here.
“We will also be working with regional council who manage the buses.
“Increased Police visibility, resourcing and responsiveness must be a priority for Rotorua. As a Council we are prioritising community safety as best we can but we need support to deliver lasting solutions for our community moving forward.”
*The statement was also provided to NewsHub which published a story about the incident (see HERE)
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Incident in Jean Batten Square
Enquiry (to RLC organisation)
I am working on a story about the violence at the Rotorua Library bus stop on Arawa St.
I spoke with a mum who was distraught after her daughter was attacked by a stranger. There have been reports online following this story coming out as well as to the mother who has relayed back to me that this has happened to several other children - where strangers attack them in broad daylight at the bus stop, usually older kids.
- How many violent incidents at this bus stop have been reported to the RLC in the last year?
- What do these reports involve? Ie beatings, fights, etc?
- What has the RLC done in response to the reports of violence at the bus stop?
- What will it be doing now? Will it consider employing security as it had done at Willow St in Tauranga?
- Any other comments are welcome.
Response
We provided the following:
re your first two questions, please refer these to the police. Any calls to council from people reporting crime are referred to the police. We do not keep a record of these.
Regarding the rest of your enquiries, please see below from DCE District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
Community safety is a priority for Rotorua Lakes Council and our Safe City Guardians have a regular presence throughout the CBD, including the area where this week’s incident occurred, in Jean Batten Square and particularly at busy times.
The guardians act as a deterrent to crime and anti-social behaviour and often de-escalate incidents. Council CCTV footage and information provided to the police often leads to offenders being apprehended, as was the case with this week’s incident.
This is the first serious incident in this area for some time. Less serious incidents which occur are dealt with by our Guardians with the police called when that is necessary.
Council continues to work closely with local police on community safety. We are always looking at ways to improve what we do and part of a review currently underway will be a Request for Proposals from security firms, with a view to further enhancing what we already do.
Subsequent from reporter:
here are the additional comments and questions.
We understand RLC had a contract with Watchdog Security for 18 months which ended three weeks ago. Wilson said they knew the end of the contract was coming as the council had indicated it wanted to move to an in-house model.
Watchdog's Brett Wilson said during the contract, they manned the Arawa St bus stop between 3-4.30pm in stab-proof vests and delt with extremely violent behaviour from children/youth including a boy beaten so up until he had a badly broken leg, children filming planned fights, and children attempting to stab others.
He said the issues at that bus stop had been going on since at least October last year.
At the end of last year when the planned fights were happening, there were up to 7 security staff onsite for 2 weeks while tensions were heightened.
Wilson said this thuggery was not a new issue and the level of aggression seen signified problematic home lives and was a symptom of wider issues.
He said if Watchdog was still employed when the girl was beaten this week: "We certainly would have intervened ... there certainly would have had a better chance of it being less severe.”
We also understand that the council changed the school bus route in recent weeks to bring less children to the Arawa St stop.
- Why did the council end its contract with Watchdog?
- What exactly was the in-house security model that RLC wanted to take on when ending the contract with Watchdog? What was the plan for security at the bus stop once the Watchdog contract ended?
- Did the council change the school bus route to bring fewer children to the Arawa bus stop? When did this happen and why?
- Will the council reintroduce the contract with Watchdog? When?
- Was the council aware this bus stop was such a hot spot given all the incidents that happened there and security staff needing to wear stab-proof vests?
- Any other comments are welcome.
Reporter also asked:
Did the council terminate its contract with Watchdog Security three weeks ago? Why?
Where were Guardians during this attack on Tuesday?
Subsequent info provided in response to further questions:
There was no termination of any contract. As per Mr Wilson’s comments to you, the 18-month arrangement that was in place with his company ended.
As per our earlier response, there is a review currently underway and there will be a Request for Proposals from security firms, with a view to further enhancing what we already do.
Our City Guardians were elsewhere in the CBD when the incident occurred.
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Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Mt Ngongotaha clean-up
Enquiry
Just writing something up about the Miss Rotorua clean-up over the weekend which was held up on Mount Ngongotahā. The organiser said the council and iwi (Ngāti Whakaue) need to be part of the solution to stop illegal dumping and wondered if I could please get a bit of info on illegal dumping?
I know Rotorua Lakes Council provided the group with the clean-up resources, and helping on the day. The organiser said Waste Minimisation Officer Meghan Cooper had all the details as to how much was collected etc - would she please be able to pass on this info? And maybe what was provided?
What kind of waste education is there?
Organiser Kristal Webb's suggestions included installing carvings to deter littering, as well as a hidden trail camera to catch perpetrators.
She said security cameras had been installed in the past and had been stolen, and a no-littering sign Smart Environmental had installed was ripped up.
What is the challenge with illegal dumping in both stopping it and catching those doing it?
Do police ever get involved?
May I please have some general info as to how big an issue illegal dumping is in Rotorua and what the council does bout it?
How many instances of illegal dumping have there been this year and how does this compare to previous years?
What kinds of things are usually dumped?
I know there was the instance of construction and demolition waste dumped in a roadside drain on Fryer Road on 16 May - how often does this happen?
Any other info or comment?
Response
We provided the reporter with a copy of the release we had already been working on in relation to the Mountain Road clean-up (see HERE on RLC’s website) and also provided the following additional information:
What kind of waste education is there?
Rotorua Lakes Council works with a range of audiences to educate about waste reduction and recycling and how to look after the environment through more sustainable practices. This can be in response to a support request or through scheduled workshops, engagement and collaboration opportunities.
Throughout the year there are a number of waste education campaigns run nationally or locally, such as Plastic Free July and Sustainable Backyards month, and we encourage the community to get involved and change their habits to reduce the waste they produce. Council also works closely with local community groups to organise clean ups, gain funding for projects and other initiatives to encourage change on a neighbourhood level.
What kinds of things are usually dumped?
Most commonly dumped items include broken furniture and whiteware, mattresses, clothing, green waste, car parts, deceased animals and bagged rubbish.
I know there was the instance of construction and demolition waste dumped in a roadside drain on Fryer Road on 16 May - how often does this happen?
Construction and demolition waste is a common feature at sites of illegal dumping, though generally in relatively small amounts. The majority of people dealing with construction and demolition waste do so responsibly.
*We also provided access to images.
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Media: Aukaha News
Topic: Meade Street geothermal mud pot
Enquiry
Reporter sought an on-camera interview to provide any update on the Meade Street geothermal mud pot.
Response
We informed the reporter that there was no update on the Meade Street activity, that the site remains cordoned off and RLC continues to monitor it.
We suggested he contact Brad Scott from GNS to provide expert insight and information.