Security patrols on way

Rotorua's central city security patrols look set to be in place by December - news welcomed by retailers.

The council is about to begin recruiting staff.

Community safety projects officer Amy Duckett said the Rotorua CBD Patrols Project would boost security and public safety in the city centre.

The council's Corporate and Customer Services Committee approved $100,000 to be put toward the patrols for the 2011/12 year, which would run until at least June.

"Our 2011 Perceptions of Safety Survey highlighted that there had been a decrease in how safe people felt in the CBD during the daytime, so we are keen to address that with some urgency before it gets any worse."

During debate on the draft Annual Plan councillors indicated that $100,000 could be made available in the expectation retailers would contribute a similar amount. Their decision followed a request from the Rotorua Retail Advisory Board for the council to support the introduction of more street patrols. The retailers said they would contribute to the cost of the service.

"Over the last few months the Rotorua Retail Advisory Board has been working with local businesses to secure financial buy-in. However, they have found it hard going for a number of reasons, including the current economic business environment and the low winter trading period which have meant many operators have found it difficult to commit to participating."

Mrs Duckett said the patrols would operate seven days a week with local police.

At any time there would be two to four people on patrol in the central city with a flexible schedule to meet demand and peak periods.

"These highly visible, well-trained and approachable street patrollers will act as a deterrent to troublesome or illegal behaviour. They will be extra eyes and ears for council, police and local businesses and will quickly report bad behaviour to Rotorua police and damage to public property in the CBD and surrounding reserves to the council.

"The patrollers will also be available to answer queries from members of the public and visitors to town."

McDonald's owner Rob Parry said it was great to see the council had got behind the initiative and helped lift it off the ground.

"We're really excited about it," he said.

He hoped retailers would see it as a beneficial thing and be happy to contribute to the scheme.

"It's going to make quite a big difference [in the CBD]. It will make people feel safer for longer," he said.

Serious Fun co-owner Derek Enright said it was great news for retailers.

Meanwhile, the $100,000 of council funding would be boosted by a $57,000 contribution from the Ministry of Justice to enable the project to go ahead.

The council would also be discussing whether the patrols could be funded beyond the 2011/12 year and this would be subject to a future report and consideration as part of council's next long-term plan.