26 October 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Anti-social behaviour at McDonald's
Enquiry
I am working on a story about the antisocial behaviour that's happening at McDonald's on Fenton St.
This morning, the manager was punched in the back of the head twice trying to break up a fight that was happening on the property. She is believed to have a concussion.
- The owner said they've seen an increase in the number of people begging at the end of the driveway - some on their property and others just outside. Previously it was just one.
- She said it's lucrative and they make a few hundred dollars a day.
- In recent weeks, the beggars have been fighting with each other over whose turn it is to stand there. This happened in front of staff and the busy restaurant/drive-through.
- She said “It’s an enormous concern.”
- She said they’ve been speaking with the police, Rotorua Lakes Council, City Safe Guardians, and Watchdog Security for months about the congregations and fighting, and there’s been “little to no impact”.
- She said all the agencies were told they were concerned about staff safety. “Unfortunately, our staff are dealing with this on a daily basis and today ... they’re getting more frustrated about no response, no changes, and no outcomes.”
- She said they acknowledged that those standing in front of the property on public land were allowed to be there, and they’ve been told by some agencies that the human rights of those standing there need to be upheld. - “My staff have human rights as well and they should be able to be at work and operate in a safe environment.”
- She said she was not convinced the social and wrap-around services said to be helping these people were doing enough.
- She said it was getting worse for staff and customers.
- She said she respected the police and knew they were busy. “I just fear that they’re under-resourced in our incredible city. If we’re trying to clean this place up, we need some more numbers.”
Questions
- Can I please have a response to the above?
- What is the council response to the violence experienced by the staff this morning?
- The owner feels as though the council/City Guardians have done nothing to see a drop in this antisocial behaviour. What has the council done to address her concerns?
- She said its getting worse for staff and customers. At what point will the council act on people standing outside a business even though its on public property?
- What needs to happen for more to be done?
Any other comments are welcome.
Response
From Group Manager, Community and District Development, Jean-Paul Gaston:
It is unfortunate to hear of this attack and we wish the victim well in their recovery. Community safety is a top priority for council and we are working hard, in partnership with Police, to ensure residents and visitors feel and are safe.
Our CCTV and foot patrol teams monitor the CBD continuously and often engage with people choosing to beg, offering to link them up with support services. While Council is sympathetic to the issues caused by begging, it has limited powers to respond to anti-social and criminal behaviour. We encourage the public to report these issues to the Police who have the power to detain and arrest anyone breaking the law. On public land such as the pavement outside McDonalds, Council can remove any signs held by beggars which would be in breach of our signage bylaw. If beggars are impeding traffic by blocking the exit from the McDonalds then this is a Police matter.
The issue of begging has been raised and is being considered as part of the wider Community Safety Plan. Any response to begging will need to be carefully considered and presented to elected members.
From Mayor Tania Tapsell:
“It’s incredibly frustrating that hardworking staff have been treated so poorly by those unwilling to work themselves. Our thoughts are with the McDonald’s staff impacted by this event and ongoing anti-social issues.
“I urged the previous Police Minister to increase Police resource in Rotorua to help us respond to crime and social disorder. Given the level of crime we saw escalate under their leadership, it’s disappointing they didn’t do this.
“The Parties likely to form our new Government have sent a strong message about their intentions to reduce crime and I’m looking forward to working with them on local solutions for Rotorua.
“Our Council has had to prioritise safety initiatives out of necessity. As part of our Community Safety Plan, in partnership with Police, an Inner City Community Safety Hub is being established on Hinemoa Street to provide a central, visible location for Police Officers, Safe City Guardians and Māori Wardens. Council is also refreshing the Safe City Guardian service and investing in further CCTV resource to improve how our staff and partners are responding to issues in our inner city.
“Currently Council doesn’t have the ability to stop people standing outside a business and current laws make the enforcement of a begging bylaw very difficult. I would be open to discussing with the new Government how a policy change could fix this.”