Drastic measures employed
Threatening to present a firearm at the Te Aroha Police station was the only way Eric Rowney felt he could get the attention of police.
‘‘I knew I was going to get in serious trouble, but I don’t care. I’m so sick of nothing being done about what is happening,’’ he said.
‘‘We have given up talking to the cops, because we feel like they have given up on talking to us.’’
After two years of what he sees as police inaction, this is the only thing that Eric Rowney has to say.
His business premises in Te Aroha has been targeted by vandals numerous times over the last two years, leaving him thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Stones have been hurled from the cycleway directly next to his yard, leaving nearly every window of his premises smashed.
He’s even copped one stone to the face, which resulted in his front tooth being cracked.
‘‘I’ve got to the point where I no longer want to repair the windows, it just seems like a waste of time and money,’’ he said.
Unfortunately Eric is not the only one who feels let down by police.
Community organisations and sports clubs have also been the targets of vandals, with property damaged.
‘‘This is happening every week and nothing is being done about it,’’ he said.
Eric said it was all well and good for police to say ring 111, CrimeStoppers or visit the local police station, but what happens when there is no body at the station or you’re dealing with someone on the phone who doesn’t know where you are.
‘‘You ring through to the call centre and the person on the other line doesn’t even know where Te Aroha is?,’’ he said
‘‘I’ve been there numerous times and there’s never anyone there. I’ve been called a trouble maker and told to leave things alone, but this is ridiculous!’’
Officer in charge of Morrinsville and Te Aroha stations Sergeant Paul Snape was unable to provide comment before deadline but said he was keen to explore the option of reinstating the weekly police report in the Piako Post.