Guards curb NYE callouts
Police say the Taupo District Council initiative to appoint security guards in place full time at the park for the busy New Year period resulted in a ‘‘dramatic drop’’ in callouts to the problem area.
Reid’s Farm made headlines for all the wrong reasons heading into the New Year period with police callouts for disorderly behaviour and even armed offenders needing to search the area at one point.
‘‘The council has been really proactive by having Senjo Security there,’’ Senior Sergeant Phillip Edwards said.
‘‘Our callouts there were pretty much nil even on New Years Eve, which I worked, we were not called out there.’’
Mayor David Trewavas was pleased to hear the police comments.
‘‘Everything was all under control and we might look at security being an option while we go through the submissions process for the changes to the management plan of the area,’’ he said.
Looking ahead Trewavas says council could consider hiring security guards for peak times again.
‘‘It would be a cost born by ratepayers,’’ he said.
‘‘But I think the long term benefits outweighs the cost of it.
‘‘As campers branch out they will say what a great time they had in Taupo and that will generate a lot more interest.’’