Strong support for focus on community safety

Taupo District Council received a call to action yesterday at a crowded meeting held to discuss community safety. 

There was standing room only at Taupo’s Great Lake Centre as politicians, government agencies, crime victims and residents presented their views and solutions to the spiralling crime statistics highlighted by the tragic murder of Karen Aim in Taupo earlier this year.

In excess of 800 people were in attendance as Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper led discussion on how the people of Taupo could be supportive and proactive in ensuring that their town is a safe one and put a stop to violent and antisocial behaviour.

Mayor Cooper said Taupo District Council would provide an advocacy role to pressure central government to ensure that they are held accountable for their part in these problems and that direct actions occur. “Crime and antisocial behaviour is a problem throughout the country but here in Taupo we have found ourselves in the spotlight. We are not going to sweep these issues under the carpet. Our country and our town deserve to be taken seriously and I am prepared to bang on the doors of central government to make sure they listen to us,” said Mayor Cooper.

In addition to the central government response, Mayor Cooper said the community needs to get involved and he urged people to join neighbourhood support groups and get to know their neighbours. "We must all play our part in finding a solution, no man is an island and we will only deal with this growing problem in our society if we share our ideas and take collaborative action."

He also asked for and categorically received a mandate from those present for Taupo District Council to take an active role in crime prevention. “We have formed the Safer Communities Trust to help bring together and coordinate all of our wonderful hard-working community groups and, with your support, we want to use this Trust to pursue the sorts of funding that we need to keep this place safe into the future.”

Mayor Cooper said that while there were many groups and individuals in the district already doing a fabulous job – particularly with youth and victims of crime – but there needed to be more coordination. “The Trust will use funding to employ a coordinator to liaise with the relevant groups to achieve a better outcome for Taupo.” A show of hands gave overwhelming support for this initiative.