22 August 2019
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: CBD safety initiative
Enquiry
I was just wondering if you are able to fill me in on the current situation with the city's safety campaign and the safe city guardians.
It is for a follow up story we are doing (being published tomorrow) on the assault at Ponsonby Rd on Friday night and the hospitality industry's thoughts on safety in the CBD.
We reported the following in March (see link, council comments further down the story).
Can you confirm if those numbers reported are still the case?
Also, are you able to let me know if there are any plans yet for the summer safety campaign after September?
It would be great if possible if Henry Weston or whoever could offer some comments as to how they think the safety campaign is working currently.
LINK: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=12210584
Response
Rotorua Lakes Council's Operations Group Manager, Henry Weston:
Council continues to coordinate safety patrols of our inner city streets as part of our collaborative safety campaign with police and other community groups.
The campaign continues to be effective with incidents being deescalated before they become an issue. Our patrol teams are also helping people with general directions around town, notifying owners that cars or premises have been left unlocked, and receive really positive feedback from local business owners.
While Council is making a concerted effort to ensure our public spaces are safe and inviting, owners of private establishments also need to be very clear with customers about what behaviour will and will not be tolerated and take steps to ensure that people remain safe while on their premises. Liquor licence holders are responsible for ensuring that the environment in the vicinity of their establishment is not negatively impacted by the activity of their customers.
Patroller numbers remain the same, with six patrollers in total covering shifts throughout the day and evenings. There is a focus on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights when the city is busier.
We have now filled the full time CCTV operator role which gives us more capability around operational hours. We are also still regularly meeting with police and other community safety patrol groups for briefings.
The safety campaign is set to continue into the summer months.