Trouble around artwork
Drug abuse, harassment, and begging around an Auckland sculpture has sparked Auckland Council to review the artwork’s surroundings.
Auckland Council is looking into redesigning the area around environmental sculptor Chris Booth’s 18 metre tall basalt boulder sculpture called Gateway, at the Victoria St entrance of Albert Park.
Auckland Council manager of community parks and places Martin Van Jaarsveld said it received complaints from the public and local business owners about recurring antisocial behaviour, as well as broken glass and litter.
Scarecrow Cafe, which is on the corner opposite the sculpture, was one of the businesses that contacted Auckland Council over the area.
Scarecrow Cafe duty manager Kaya Levett said it complained because people in the area were using illicit substances like synthetic cannabis, as well as drinking, begging and harassing customers and staff.
‘‘We got to the point where it was so frustrating that we had a zero tolerance policy within the store.’’
Any time staff saw trouble or drinking they called the police and there had been an improvement, she said.
‘‘Obviously it’s shuffling them from here to somewhere else. But for us it makes it safer, it means our customers are safer and this area is safer.’’