‘Why are there so few cops around when  they are needed most?’

By the Editor and staff writer Paula Burkett

We say that during the worst crime periods on the Kāpiti Coast local police numbers fall to their lowest level.We also say some young troublemakers know this and break the law thinking they can get away with it.

The Police have disputed this story, saying: ‘Your facts are wrong.’ Well, we have checked our facts and sources and stand by this story.

Kāpiti has one of the fastest growing populations in New Zealand — so you have to ask yourself in light of recent events: Do we have enough Police on the staff to deal with our rising crime rate? And why do we have a Police Station that effectively shuts its doors to the public after 5pm! (and most of the weekend).

Police work in shifts, but ironically during the biggest problem times the staffing numbers drop down to noticeably smaller shifts. Yet this police area, between Peka Peka and Paekakariki has a population of about 40,000 people ( The northern area around Ōtaki is in a different police district).

After discussion with some of the local youth, we’ve found some are fully aware of this and many don’t fear Court or consequences because it appears the chances of being arrested are low.

To hold a prisoner  for a Court appearance, means taking an Officer off the streets to transport them down to the Porirua Station.

We have the greatest empathy for local Police —  they are grossly under-staffed and under-resourced and seem to be taking the brunt of the bad publicity at present. Let’s not forget they are here to serve and protect the community as a whole not just a small percentage.

But Kāpiti Police have to cover an area from Te Horo through to Fisherman’s Table. And the growing consensus within the community says there is a perceived low response to any reported crime in the area, as was the case at the Waterfront Bar & Cafe when a youth disturbance was reported (vandalism and disorder after the funeral  service for Izak Millanta).

Staff were told by Wellington Central  that there was no unit available to attend (calls are routed through to ‘Central’ depending on the time of day a call is placed — usually after 5pm, as was the case in this incident).

Surely some sort of reaction was expected following the death and funeral of Izak Millanta, yet there appeared to be nothing in place to deal with it.

There were calls and requests for assistance – but, by the time a police unit did attend, the crowd of youths had  dispersed and the damage was done.

A question for KCDC

Why is there not a liquor ban in place here at the Raumati waterfront?  — a question for KCDC. Specifically when there is a public swimming pool there that is regularly visited by young children and their parents.

There are stringent rules and regulations that bars must follow under the alcohol laws yet right outside their doors it is apparently legal for people to congregate and consume alcohol, this just doesn’t seem right.

‘The 12^th  most  troublesome place’

Police were recently reported in the media as saying the Retro Bar has been identified as the 12^th  most  troublesome place in the country: Shouldn’t we be increasing the Police staffing levels to help combat this?

Why is it that two young men have been killed before KCDC finally make a public declaration they are doing something?

I believe Mayor Jenny Rowan has now proposed a liquor ban in the Kāpiti area, why has this taken so long and do we have the Police manpower to enforce this?

What else are KCDC doing to make this a safer community? They have frequently been in the media regarding increasing rates, water metering, beach erosion  and the huge expense of the new Council building — whilst ignoring what is, and has been, going on right under their noses.

This is a community issue and there seems to be no clear answer as to how we resolve this growing problem.

The powers that be seem to be taking their time to implement solutions and offer resources to help combat this problem, meanwhile Police Officers are putting their lives at risk everyday trying to protect us on a shoestring budget.

This is not just a Police problem, we pride ourselves on being “clean and green” it also requires us as New Zealanders to take a long hard look at ourselves and decide who we are and what we want this community to become for future generations.