Crime decline in Turangi
Turangi crime is on the decline and the local police say is it due to the help from their community members.
Police are reporting fewer burglaries, wilful damage and car thefts compared to last year.
‘‘We do have a better relationship with our members of the community who are committed to calling the police if they see something suspicious,’’ Senior Sargent Tere Morunga, said.
‘‘We are also responding to those calls with urgency.’’
Morunga said in the past year local police have made it their goal to build up a lot of confidence and trust within their community and promoting the us of the ‘111’ system. It was now showing results.
‘‘If they are seeing suspicious behaviour and calling us, it is great,’’ he said.
Earlier this year there was a spike in crime in Tauranga-Taupo¯ and the community was instrumental in getting the offender arrested and charged. Crime in that area has stopped once again.
‘‘The community got on board with what to look for and what they could be doing to help out,’’ Morunga said.
‘‘They started to do it and they helped us locate the offender.’’
Community constable David Wells said they have been pushing the ‘prevention’ method in Turangi.
‘‘It’s coming back to the community working with us. A lot of people started to know what we are here for. It’s all about prevention and so far it’s working.’’
‘‘If they are seeing suspicious behaviour they call us. It's great.’’ Tere Morunga