Trespassing on Council land
Local police have now been given more power to move on drug dealers and ‘threatening’ figures within Matamata-Piako district.
At a recent council meeting police requested the authority to trespass people on council land after a number of complaints about ‘‘threatening’’ groups hanging around council facilities.
Previously the chief executive only had delegation to trespass council staff under the Trespass Act 1980. If a public member was causing issues police would have to contact council and then council would have an enforcement staff member visit the site and assess the situation.
Graduate Policy Planner Ellie Mackintosh said the local police wanted more power and authority to move someone on without going a ‘‘round about way’’.
‘‘We had the police approach us about warranting them because currently the chief executive can’t,’’ Mackintosh said. ‘‘The basic concern was that there were people lingering causing people to feel uncomfortable and other such activity.
‘‘I asked one of the police in Te
Aroha and he said in Te Aroha they currently have a small core group that hang out around Herries Memorial Park, the Domain and the pools.
‘‘Others feel threatened by their anti social behaviour, which includes drug taking, dealing. Being able to remove them will give them an angle to combat this behaviour.’’
She said the authority would be granted to individual police based in the district.
Te Aroha Ward councillor Teena Cornes said she was unaware police didn’t have the authority to trespass people on their land.
‘‘Obviously I’m happy to move this. We need to give the police the tools in the toolbox to deal with private treatment or move people on. That’s the best proactive thing,’’ Cornes said. ‘‘I think it’s ridiculous and I didn’t even realise that they actually couldn’t do that. It’s crazy.’’
But deputy mayor Neil Goodger felt council were too focused on moving problems on rather than dealing with them.
‘‘I’m not totally happy about the whole process, but I guess it’s just the way it’s going. Hopefully it doesn’t become a too common occurrence and an easy tool to use. I’d hate to think that all the young ones in town are trespassed from our parks and domain because they are gathering together under the suspicion.’’
Matamata Ward councillor Adrienne Wilcock said council should have trust in police that they know what they are doing.
‘‘Let’s not over think it. They only use it in extreme circumstances I would expect. We will watch with interest.’’
In a year’s time, Mackintosh suggested council review if the process is working as well as asking for a list of all the people who have been trespassed. If there is a regular name that keeps showing up council can look further into other processes of stopping that behaviour, she said.
Cornes moved the motion, seconded by Te Aroha councillor Caitlin Casey.