9 May 2022
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: pre-Budget announcement regarding Police funding
Enquiry
Touching base to see whether Steve Chadwick or anyone else would be willing to provide a comment on the pre-budget announcement yesterday, with the Government investing over $562 million over four years into Police so they continue to have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
See more from the package to target gangs and organised crime here.
Given the prevalence of gangs and organised crime locally, I hoped we could get some local comment. I have a couple of questions below.
My deadline would be 3pm. Please let me know if this won't work.
Questions
What is your reaction to the announcement?
Do you think the funding announced targets the right areas?
What other areas, if any, do you think need addressing to target the impact of crime?
I've also had an interviewee discuss outlawing gangs as a precaution. Is this something you'd be in favour of/can provide your thoughts on?
And if there's anything else you'd like to say, please do so.
Response
From Mayor Chadwick:
“This is all positive but we also need to find different ways to work together as we did with housing. We need collaboration across agencies and organisations to have an impact and make a difference.
“It’s not just about more police or crime-focussed initiatives – it’s also about looking at how we address other contributors to our social issues like housing, youth engagement, health and poverty.
“Our council works very closely with local police to address community safety and see where we can assist and support. We know our local police are stretched and it would be my hope that some of the extra police to be allocated will go towards lifting community policing efforts.”