A soldier collecting donations for Poppy Day was verbally accosted by a man in Tauranga's Red Square on Friday.
A New Zealand soldier collecting donations for Poppy Day has been accosted by a man in Tauranga's Red Square.
The incident on Spring St in the CBD on Friday, captured on video, showed a man yelling at one of three soldiers in uniform, with his fingers in the soldier's face.
One man who worked in the area, but did not want to be identified, said the man was "going head-to-head, toe-to-toe" with soldiers "doing their bit for the Anzacs".
"He was trying to incite a fight, it was clear that that's what he wanted to develop and the military guys wouldn't take the bait."
The witness said a member of the public stepped in and told the man to leave the soldiers alone.
The three soldiers remain composed in the video and one of them can be heard saying "mate, just calm down eh".
A soldier collecting donations for Poppy Day was verbally accosted by a man in Tauranga's Red Square on Friday. Photo / Supplied
A New Zealand Defence Force spokesman said the altercation was not typical of the response its servicemen and women received while collecting donations on Poppy Day.
"We recognise that people have a right to voice their opinion, as long as it's done in a peaceful manner.
"We are pleased that in this situation the person's anger was defused by the calmness displayed by the soldier, who remained professional throughout."
The spokesman said the Defence Force was proud to collect for Poppy Day in support of "the fantastic work done for the veteran community by the RSA".
Meagan Holmes, Tauranga City Council's manager of community development, said the council received a complaint in relation to the altercation with the soldier.
"It is important that people contact the police for any aggressive or threatening incidents/issues."
Holmes said a City Safety Plan, which was approved in March, was being implemented.
"It brings together a series of actions and initiatives across several delivery partners to address antisocial behaviours and key identified issues/behaviours across the entire city."
Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair, Western Bay of Plenty prevention manager, said the police had responded to five incidents on Spring St since the start of the year including Friday's incident.
Other incidents included two reports of people using drugs, an intoxicated woman yelling at people and four men yelling at members of the public.
Wright-St Clair said police were aware of concerns in the area and would work with the council to find a solution, which would include an increased police presence.
The CBD worker who witnessed Friday's altercation said issues involving homeless people in Red Square in Spring St had become worse over the past three months, with people urinating in public, causing altercations with the public, drinking, sleeping in doorways and leaving their belongings behind.
"I think foot traffic's down, it's clearly down. People won't come through here, they'll turn and go the other way because they're intimidated, they're frightened."
One of the empty shop fronts in Red Square. Photo / Scott Yeoman
A business owner in Red Square said the "outrageous" altercation on Friday was the latest incident in the square involving "aggressive homeless people".
He said the man yelling was not even making sense. He was not asking for money.
"The council needs to do something and we need a solution for this because it's getting out of control."
The owner said homeless people were doing drugs and drinking alcohol in public, which was "scaring people out of the heart of the city".
"They can't just congregate in Red Square smoking weed and drinking."
The owner, who also did not want to be named, said he phoned the police this month about homeless people smoking cannabis outside his business but the police did not show up.
"I have contacted the council several times with no results."
The police said they received a report at 4.10pm on April 12 of two women and a man smoking cannabis in Red Square. A police unit was responding when they were diverted to a more serious incident.
The business owner also said some homeless people recently came into his business to use the toilets, which he told them were only for customers.
"They were using the restroom and they got aggressive and then abused me in front of customers," the owner said.
"They're living down here in the Red Square and it's not a place for people to live. It scares off customers; it scares people to walk through this area."
One of the empty shop fronts in Red Square. Photo / Scott Yeoman
Owner of Fancy That gift and souvenir shop on Devonport Rd, Bill Campbell, said it was not good for the "public image" of the area.
"People will avoid that sort of problem. They either don't want to see it or they don't want to be caught up in it."
He said some workers were scared about walking to the nearby carpark after work if it was dark.
"It's ongoing and it has got worse."
The police have responded to the following reports of incidents on Spring St since January 1, 2018: • March 29, 11.29am: A man using drugs in Red Square. A police unit went to the scene and made inquiries in the area but unfortunately could not locate the person. • April 10, 1pm: An intoxicated woman yelling at people in Red Square. Police spoke with the woman and helped to calm the situation. Police staff remained in the area for some time. • April 11, 9.40am: Four men yelling at members of the public on Spring St. The person who rang the police was asked to ring back if there were further incidents. • April 12, 4.10pm: Two women and a man smoking cannabis in Red Square. A police unit was responding when they were diverted to a more serious incident. • April 20, 2pm: A man was swearing and yelling at Defence Force members collecting for Poppy Day in Red Square. Police arrived at the scene a short time later and spoke with people in the area. The man had moved away from the collectors and was no longer causing any issues. - New Zealand Police
The council's City Safety Plan initiatives include: • A council staff member working directly with people begging and/or homeless to assess their needs and then connecting them with the right service providers. He is also liaising directly with key retailers. • Council staff regularly liaising with police. • A behaviour change programme to educate the community about the inadvertent harm of giving to beggars. • Elected members asked council staff to bring forward the review of the Street Use and Public Places bylaw to 2018, to consider rough sleeping and begging in Tauranga. • The Ministry of Social Development announced in February that funding would be given to The People's Project to set up a Housing First initiative in Tauranga. Housing First prioritises finding people safe, secure and permanent housing first, and then wrapping around the services needed to help people sustain their tenancies, support their health and wellbeing and return to independent living and participating in community life. The People's Project is aiming to be open and operating in May 2018. - Tauranga City Council
