‘I think we have become more caring’
Police district commander Inspector Dave Gaskin is preparing for more challenges in 2021 following an ‘‘interesting year’’.
As South Canterbury prepares to ring in a new year, Gaskin told The Timaru Herald 2021 was going to be ‘‘no different’’, in light of continuing Covid-19 struggles.
‘‘There are challenges ahead,’’ Gaskin said.
He said the roll out of Covid-19 vaccines in the next two years would change things, and described 2020 as having been ‘‘difficult’’.
‘‘It is the first time we had a global pandemic in 100 years.
‘‘It came as a shock that we were not in control of everything, the ability to travel has curtailed.’’
However, Gaskin said there were positives which came from Covid-19.
‘‘I think we have become a more caring society.
‘‘The prime minister said be kind to each other, and people are kinder and considerate.
‘‘The intended message was encouragement, education and enforcement and that was the mantra we sat by.’’
Gaskin said that message was reflected in a reported significant drop in crime which showed the numbers of reported assaults,
‘‘In some ways criminals were the shining lights – they complied.’’ Inspector Dave Gaskin
sexual assaults, abductions, robberies, burglaries and thefts dropped from 1673 between November 2019 and October 2019 to 1301 between November 2019 and October 2020, in Timaru.
‘‘There was little requirement to enforce.’’
He said ‘‘it was noted that all parts of society contributed’’ during this time.
‘‘In some ways criminals were the shining lights – they complied.’’
However, he believed there was complacency in terms of people using New Zealand’s Covid Tracer app use.
‘‘A lot of people think this is over [Covid] but it’s not.’’
Gaskin encouraged people to spend time with family over the Christmas and New Year period.
‘‘Relax and unwind, and be ready for whatever 2021 throws at us.
‘‘It can’t be any more dramatic than this year.’’
A Timaru octogenarian who struggled to get the basics during the Covid-19 lockdown has a simple message for people as a new year approaches.
’’Just carry on,’’ 83-year-old Olive Crossan said.
In April, she made headlines when she began to run low on milk, bread and vegetables, during Covid-19 alert level 4, after trying, without success, to get a delivery system organised.
She had no family or friends nearby, and no home help to get groceries delivered.
Crossan picked up the phone and started making calls, without any luck. However, things changed when her situation was highlighted in The Timaru Herald.
A much-needed grocery delivery delighted Crossan as she was inundated with food – enough to get herself and two elderly neighbours lockdown.
’’Once I got people to listen about what I was saying it was alright,’’ Crossan said, looking back at her ordeal.
’’I certainly didn’t starve.’’ She said 2020 had presented more than a few challenges.
‘‘I had a spell in hospital in July but I’m fighting fit again.’’ through the