No police so street justice takes over at tinnie house

It was a classic case of street justice.

Sick of seeing cars queueing up for drugs, a Perth St resident picked up a baseball bat and smashed up a car idling outside his home.

There had been weeks of calls to the police before the incident in February. Neighbours had rung, left messages on answer phones, called 111 and even visited the station. They told police that in Perth St, Otara, there was a tinnie house. It was used to sell drugs. It was making life unbearable.

Perth St was once a family street. Children played cricket and basketball in the cul-de-sac loop or rode bikes.

Then the new neighbours moved in and started selling drugs. More than 100 cars a day roared down the road to buy drugs - and children were banned from playing in front of their homes.

Frustration finally boiled over and one man swung his baseball bat.

From behind curtains along Perth St, neighbours cheered him on, knowing the man could have landed in trouble for taking the law into his own hands.

But even for this, the police didn't come.

The tinnie house, which neighbours say operated for at least four months, was raided once in January.

It was open for business again just hours after the occupants were released from court.

An arrest was made and a person will appear in court next week.

Sergeant Andrew Berry, who works in Otara, said there were "tens" of tinnie houses currently selling drugs in the suburb.

He said police faced the task of prioritising calls from the public and have to attend some incidents before others.

The area was developing a new system to deal with drug-related information - a special form with a flowchart to keep track of tips.

Back in Perth St, they are coming to terms with a death stemming from the house everyone including the police knew was a tinnie house.

Have you told police about a tinnie house in your street that continues to operate? Call David Fisher on 09 373 9345 or 021 347 154, or email: david.fisher@heraldonsunday.co.nz

-HERALD ON SUNDAY