Do you feel safe in your home town?

Nearly one in four residents is dissatisfied with their quality of life and unhappy living in Papakura. One in three believes it is unsafe, too. In the second part of his series, Maurice Smyth talks to more locals about the results of the council survey
Retired Army Lieutenant-Colonel Noeline Taylor of Pahurehure, 20 years a local resident, believes the survey results are an accurate reflection of the wider community. ``I've lived in many towns but I'm content to stay here because I make sure I'm safe. Since foot traffic increased in my area, I've felt the need to secure my home and my car with locks and alarms. This reflects the changing demographics of the town which is a disappointing reality.'' Taxi driver Tau Herewini, a lifelong Papakuran, would never consider a move but faces up to safety issues every day. ``You just can't be as relaxed as we used to be. Society has changed too much. I'm always on my guard.'' Papakura East resident Barbara Dunn says the standards of the town she first knew 26 years ago have slipped. ``There are definitely safety issues, too many state houses and the main street's retail sector is just not up to it.'' Second generation businessman and Rotary service club president Brian Shove expressed disappointment in the range and quality of retail outlets on the main thoroughfare. ``I do believe, however, the council is proactive about where the town is heading. The mayor has been to Rotary to outline future plans and it went over well''. Through RSA president Gary Walker, The Aucklander canvassed views from club members who agreed with the survey's results. ``Those I spoke to agree with council opinion that media reporting prefers criticism to reflecting wider community activities and this could have a negative bearing on the way people feel,'' Mr Walker explained. ``But there is a consensus, especially within the women's section, that the town is not a safe place at night, what with car-jackings and road rage, and there is concern about graffiti and the number of young people asking for money on the street. ``Members say the number and condition of public conveniences are terrible. The only one that got any approval is at the Accent building, and that's quite a step for older people.'' Mr Walker says he found a dislike for the degree of in-fighting emanating from the council chamber and a need for more assurances that security issues were being addressed. Pakeke Lions president, Heather Hellyer is originally from Winton in the deep south. ``But I'm Papakura through and through,'' she says. A former army nurse, she served with her soldier husband in Malaysia after five years in Burnham, then they were posted to Papakura on return. After 22 years, they retired to Whangamata but when her husband died ``the only place I wanted to live was Papakura''. ``I find it hard to get my head round the survey results. Why do I feel safe and content in this town, and many others don't?'' Perhaps an answer came from the chairman of the Town Centre Association, local businessman Peter Dodd. ``How people feel can often be influenced by external factors, such as negative reporting in the press and national issues like immigration or education. ``But more positively, it's a good feeling to see strong local security results, such as the railway station's park and ride scheme, made possible by support from the council and Winz (Work and Income NZ). ``At a national, as well as a local level, we need to make it better known that anti-social behaviour is just not acceptable.'' Have your say. Is Papakura really slipping away as some suggest? Email letters@theaucklander.co.nz or fax 373 6583.