Neighbours from hell - Elderly residents live in fear

by Kristin Edge "
Elderly residents in a Northland street say they are living in fear of their brawling neighbours from hell.
A flood of 111 calls alerted police to a street brawl involving 40 people fighting with steel bars, knives, planks of wood, clubs with nails and a taiaha on Jamieson Rd in Kaitaia.
An out of control party spilled out on to the road about 12.30am on Saturday with concerned neighbours ringing police and locking their doors fearing for their safety.
It took police officers, who described the street as a "war zone" when they arrived, nearly four hours to quell the fighting.
No arrests were made on the day, but police are making inquiries and arrests could be made.
A woman in her 80s, who did not want to be named as she feared her neighbours would target her, said the first she knew of the fight was when she heard women and children screaming.
She said she had had a sleepless night with the party, loud noise, swearing and yelling.
"I just kept the lights off and didn't want to look out the window. I stayed in bed and laid low. I didn't get to sleep. I just listened to all the screaming and swearing."
The house in question was a rental and over the last few years people had moved in and out, with the last lot being the worst yet, she said.
"They are always having parties," she said.
Another Jamieson Rd resident said he was tired of hearing "all the foul language in the world" coming from the neighbouring house.
During Saturday's brawl he opted to lock the doors and watch his television in the dark.
"It's not worth getting involved."
Another elderly woman who lived alone said: "I get frightened when this happens."
Kaitaia police Acting Senior Sergeant Trevor Beatson said three officers went to the street to find men and women equipped with weapons fighting each other.
"The officers described it as a war zone with people lying unconscious on the side of the road, some with severe injuries," Mr Beatson said.
Officers used pepper spray on some of the brawlers after they refused to put down their weapons.
As soon as police managed to break up some of the fights others would erupt, Mr Beatson said.
An ambulance was called but the injured people were removed before they could get medical attention.
A number of people went to Kaitaia Hospital and admitted themselves, including a woman with an 8cm gash across her cheek.
Mr Beatson said residents in the street first rang police at 12.34am and there were at least another 12 more calls at minute intervals.
"Police at the scene said the people were out of control and it could have ended in a serious injury or even death," Mr Beatson said.
"Police do not tolerate this kind of violence and we are making inquiries and arrests could be made."
Kaitaia police Community Constable Stephanie Attwood wanted to reassure the residents in Jamieson St a neighbourhood network could be established. Ms Attwood said people should not hesitate to contact police if they felt unsafe.
She can be contacted at the Kaitaia police station on (09) 408 6500.