Letters to the editor: More support needed for police

Increase police numbers by supporting them, a reader says. Photo / Bevan Conley

Grahame Benvie (Letters, August 17) laments the lack of police response to incidents around the Willow St bus terminal and CBD generally.

The reasons are very simple:

The Government cancelled the first new recruits' course at the start of 2021, so no replacements are coming through, and froze police pay for three years.

It has refused to let more police carry firearms.

The justice system often returns criminals straight back on to the streets and isn't seen as supporting police.

Staff are often asked to work extra shifts and/or not take leave due.

Consequently, many police are becoming disillusioned and leaving.

So, no new staff and experienced officers leaving means a shortage of police, jobs have to be prioritised -- drugs and gang warfare near the top, Willow St near the bottom.

Simple solution, increase police numbers by supporting them.

Allan Gifford
Tauranga

Impact fee hike

In your article about tightening of the lending rules making it harder to buy your first home (News, August 30), there is no mention of the Tauranga City Council impact fee hike.

This will affect the secondary market.

Even worse is the fact that the housing corporation is buying up so many houses in the Bay of Plenty.

This buyer will not be restricted by any lending laws so as a first-time buyer your biggest competition is the Government.

W Sedcole
Tauranga

Border control

To Steve E, thanking NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for the so-called Covid infection (republished Premium online comments, August 19) - maybe he should look at NZ border control or thank Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and then maybe India.

Instead of poking the finger at someone else, look at what we are doing wrong.

P Kirkwood
Tauranga

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