Mangere to get a prevention officer
Two Mangere centres will get a crime prevention officer as part of a one-year trial to reduce antisocial behaviour and theft.
CCTV footage has captured many cases of intimidation from some beggars and youth gangs around Mangere Town Centre and Mangere East Village in recent years.
The role will be publicly funded with $40,000 from Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board.
Centre manager David Fearon says he hopes the role could address social concerns present.
‘‘There are some camping and begging outside the KFC, we see a lot of pillows and blankets around here too,’’ he says.
Fearon points out that not all those begging are intimidating and there ‘‘are definitely some people in need out there’’.
The larger groups, including youth gangs congregating on bicycles at night, can be a ‘‘nuisance factor’’ for the public.
The new officer will be involved with the community as well as safety projects and identifying problems around the two centres.
‘‘It’s not just a police issue, we look at it as a community problem. Ambassadors will see a crime in progress and report it but this will go further and look at the problem.’’
Register your interest for the job: phone 09 275 7078 or email mtcba@xtra.co.nz.