Police shortage leads to Porirua starting its own crime-busting scheme

A initiative is being trialled by the Porirua City Council to stop students fighting due to a lack of police in the area.

This initiative involves three safety officers, otherwise known as navigators, patrolling the Porirua railway station during its peak hours from 7am-9am and from 3.30pm-5.30pm.

In an interview with Pacific Mornings, Porirua City Council Mayor Anita Baker says they thought the problem had subsided but it is still an ongoing issue for the community.

Baker says this project had initially come about after secondary school principals wrote to her and the city’s Chief Executive on this issue which needed to be addressed urgently.

“It seems to be often when students have been dismissed from school or just left school, and then they’re starting up these fight groups via Facebook,” says Baker.

When Pacific Mornings asked if one would argue that this was ultimately a space for law enforcement, Baker responded that there’s actually a lack of police in the area.

“We don't have enough police … let's be honest, we don't have any people based out in our community anymore.

“They haven't got time to come down for a school fight, let's be honest. Whereas these guys (safety officers) are stopping these fights.”

This initiative began on Monday and will expand over the next six months. However, Baker is hoping to extend it past this period.

“There is an expiry date but we're hoping that we'll be able to keep pushing it because I mean even day three in it is working. People are going, oh I feel so much safer.”

The initiative was funded by the Ministry of Social Development.