Solving problems early
A community group is solving local safety issues before they arise.
The Central Taranaki Safe Community Trust has devoted the next month to installing ‘safer plates’.
Hannah Shepherd, the community project officer for the trust, said the ultimate goal was to install safe registration plates on every domestic car in Stratford and the surrounding districts.
‘‘We’re trying to make the community a bit safer by having antitheft screws in registration plates, just to stop petrol drive offs with stolen number plates,’’ Shepherd said. ‘‘It’s not as common in Stratford and our districts, but it is getting a little more common in New Plymouth so we’re just trying to nip it in the bud before it spreads out.’’
Shepherd said the screws made it very difficult for thieves to get registration plates off vehicles.
The trust recently organised a Safer Plates Day and invited the community down to Stratford’s War Memorial Centre carpark to have the screws fitted for free.
Di Welch, the Stratford community safety officer for the trust, said the day drew in many members of the community and they had more than 100 cars take part.
They will hold another Safer Plates Day at the end of November but in the meantime participating businesses are installing the antitheft screws.