Relationships provide common way forward

A quietly ambitious but pragmatic initiative in a Blenheim suburb shows just how effective people can be at resolving problems when they work together.

“The initiative was a community policing response to people living in an area that has been the subject of high crime and where residents are regular users of services provided by government departments,” says Blenheim Area Commander, Inspector Steve Caldwell.

One of the outcomes of this was to create a safer, more attractive environment using a 'CPTED' approach – crime prevention through environmental design.

It was about establishing a relationship before establishing formal networks of community support such as Neighbourhood Support groups. This innovative approach was led by Senior Constable Russell Smith and David Johnson, Marlborough District Council’s Manager of Safer Communities.

“We felt the area would benefit from some outside assistance,” says Russell. “We gave the residents the opportunity to tell us what was right with their neighbourhood and create a wish list of what they wanted to improve.”

Using a Booze Bus as their base, Police, Marlborough District Council and 17 other local agencies were on site for a week to help residents deal with issues they had earlier identified.

Among them were CYFS, Child Health, Housing New Zealand, family budgeting, Salvation Army, Job Path Marlborough, Aukati Kaipaipa (free quit smoking programme), WINZ, community law, Youth Aid, St Marks Alcohol and Drug Programme, Truancy Service, SPCA and animal control – even Marlborough Roads, who fixed potholes and painted ‘no parking’ lines on road edges.

Funding came from the Crime Prevention Unit through the council. Police and other agencies supplied resources and ‘manpower’. Tools and machinery (such as lawnmowers, water blasters, weed-eaters, chainsaws and safety gear) were available, as were recycling and rubbish skips – and paint. “People went crazy with paint,” says Russell.

While the adults cleaned and cleared, a local artist organised young people to create a walkway mural, and children were entertained with pet care sessions and a trip to the library. The week ended with a mayoral barbeque.

“The outcome was amazing," says Russell.

"From our point of view it was a major relationship-building success; we had staff out there physically working with residents – on a friendly basis. Everyone from the Area Commander to Iwi Liaison Officers and Youth Aid Constables turned up, so people saw a number of different Police faces during the week.

“And we were there to help; not just as part of a problem. For some of these people the only time they see Police is when we're responding reactively."

Inspector Caldwell says initial reports suggest residents now feel safer and there's been a drop off in petty crime.

“Residents have a greater connection with all the agencies including Police, and therefore they are more comfortable with reporting crime – this equates to early intervention,” he says.