Getting back to basics with enforcement
It’s well known that throughout New Zealand, there is resourcing shortage within the police force. The reality is, there is not an overnight solution to our policing concerns but there are things that each of us can proactively do to help.
Being a Mayor is naturally a very public job but alongside the public events and council meetings is a lot of unseen planning, collaboration and one to one meetings. While not all of the meetings should be discussed publicly, it is important for the public to have an understanding of some of the areas that I am working on. One area in particular is public safety and the response from police within the District.
As a Mayor, one of my many roles is advocating for the good and bad within the Manawatū. Our community has voiced ongoing concerns about crime, street racers, lack of Police based at the Feilding Station and the response time of police. These are some of the concerns that I raise during my regular meetings with police.
It’s well known that throughout New Zealand, there is resourcing shortage within the police force. The Feilding police station is not always staffed, and many times when a call is made the officer is dispatched from Palmerston North delaying the response time of an attending officer.
Minister Mark Mitchell, along with MP Suze Redmayne, recently visited Council. Minister Mitchell stated that police should live in the community in which they work. This means officers have a better understanding of our community, builds stronger trust and continuity with more proactive response. I agree with this.
The reality is, there is not an overnight solution to our policing concerns but there are things that each of us can proactively do to help. The key thing is to report the incident when we see it. Both the local police and Minister Mitchell echoed that due to limited resources, police have to prioritise what and where they respond . The more similar incidents are reported, the higher the priority for Police.
If it’s a non-emergency, call 105 (Ten-Five) or file the report online, even if it is the next day of the incident. If it’s an emergency call 111 (Triple-One).
As much as policing needs to be better resourced nationally and get back to the community based model, it also takes each of us to play our part to instil values, to recognise right from wrong and to speak up.
For residents in the Manawatū District that have had repeated concerns, this may not feel like much in the way of an immediate solution but let me assure you that I am actively working to highlight the local issues we are facing, at local, regional and central government level. Minister Mitchell took our concerns on board and suggested, he would like to meet with us again in the coming months.
I thank MP Suze Redmayne for taking the concerns and safety of our community seriously by organising Minister Mitchell’s visit and I thank the community members that attended the public meeting at the Feilding Civic Centre for voicing concerns directly to the Minister. I also say thank you to the Community Patrol volunteers across our District, who provide the ‘eyes and ears’ for our community and support the Police.
We all have a part to play in building a safer, stronger community. Let’s work together by leading from the front.
Mayor Helen Worboys