An interactive display with the opportunity to talk with local officers was a major highlight for young and old alike in the Palmerston North Plaza Shopping Centre.
Local staff from Prevention, Youth, Community, and Burglary Prevention workgroups, along with partners Community Patrol NZ and Neighbourhood Support, ran a display for the community.
Prevention Team Acting Senior Sergeant William Sheehan approached Plaza Management with the ‘mall cops’ event idea and they were keen to support it.
“There have been some issues with youth offending and behaviour in the CBD and the team and I have met with retailers to hear them out, provide support, and work together on potential solutions,” says William.
“When I approached the Plaza team with the idea to run an event in the mall with the aim of connecting with our community, they jumped at the opportunity.
“We want to ensure people feel safe when they are out and about and, to be successful with this, we need to work together with local businesses and our partners.”
Some of the officers who helped out on the day, from left: Acting Senior Sergeant Sheehan; Constables Ravi Singh, Trev Thomas, Rochelle Moore and Connor Sparkes; Senior Constable Phil Robinson; and Constable James Houston.
Shoppers got a surprise when they saw the display, which included a police vehicle, along with the recruit jump test, giveaways and information and the popular virtual reality goggles.
No display is complete without a police dog, and this was provided in the form of Police puppy Blitz who was hands-down the most popular member of the team on the day.
Crowds formed throughout the day around the display and William says he and the team easily spoke to hundreds of people.
“We received really positive feedback and interacted with members of the public of all ages,” says William.
“Staff also took the opportunity to speak with the various businesses in The Plaza to discuss what Police were doing to support them in the CBD.
“One of the store managers was ecstatic that we were there as he had no thefts that day when, on any other Saturday, he has experienced several.
“It’s fantastic to have this feedback from retailers and we really want to run another display and hopefully make it a regular event.”