We are trying to prevent victims, say police

William Stirling (left), with 18 convictions, agreed with the ban, but Shalom Guillonta asked how it would be policed. Picture / Alan Gibson

The architect of Rotorua's proposed ban on repeat offenders in the CBD has little time for concerns about the rights of criminals.

"I keep listening to these civil libertarians and lawyers say it's a breach of human rights, but too often nothing's done for the victims," Senior Constable Peter Bines said yesterday.

"We are trying to prevent victims. If we have to step on some toes to do it, so be it."

Mr Bines is one of two community constables based in City Focus square in central Rotorua.

He came up with the idea of issuing trespass notices to repeat offenders about a year ago, when he saw a group of criminals well-known to police loitering in the CBD. "I just watched them and thought they've got to be up to no good," he said.

Two hours later, his instincts were proved right when he heard the group had stolen a car and been chased by police.

Frustrated by police inability to act before an offence is committed, he approached headquarters in Wellington for legal advice on issuing trespass notices.

He was told to go to Rotorua District Council because it owned the roads and footpaths.

The council is seeking legal advice on the proposed ban and Mr Bines predicts that if it is passed, it could still face challenges in court.

"[But] we've got to try. I'm a big believer in that," he said.

And support for his idea came from surprising quarters yesterday.

The Herald spoke to people in City Focus square, among them a 24-year-old with 18 convictions, including shoplifting, car theft and burglary.

"I think it's fair enough," William Stirling said. "If I come in to steal something, it serves me right."

Mr Stirling said if he was served with a trespass order, he would not come into town, but he and his friend, Shalom Guillonta, had misgivings about how the ban would be policed.

Mr Guillonta, a baker, said it would encourage police to stereotype further and focus on every "fella with dreads and a hoodie".

"The bottom way is there's no fair way to enforce it," he said.

Most others spoken to in the square opposed the ban. Fiona O'Neill, who was manning an information table for the World Society for Protection of Animals, said it was unfair to target criminals.

"It's wrong that they've committed offences but you can't start banning people from public places. That's not a democracy. That's a dictatorship."

Jason Mangino, a 20-year-old mechanic, said: "What if they've done their time and learnt their lesson? What if they've gone clean?"

Solo mother Tracey Higgins wondered how those banned would do their shopping if they could not come into the CBD.

Another woman asked how the ban would be policed. "Are they going to put beepers on them?" she said.