Since we began our series on methamphetamine, The Profile has received a huge amount of feedback from readers about the impact this drug has had – on them, their neighbours, friends, and family. Community leaders are also chiming in, with plans to trespass Danby Field squatters before Christmas. They’ve called for members of the public to take action. ALICE PARMINTER reports.
Thames Community Board (TCB) chair Adrian Cattran has called on members of the public to report any and all suspicious activity to Police in a bid to push back against crime, violence, and social damage caused by the drug, methamphetamine.
His comments follow a statement from Police praising an anonymous whistleblower from Whangamatā, whose information helped them apprehend a 34-year-old man now facing charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply.
“Our confidential informants are the real heroes here,” Sergeant Will Hamilton said.
“This great catch was a direct result of information provided to Police by members of the public.
“Thanks to the information they have given us, we were able to intercept a significant amount of methamphetamine, that was packaged and ready for sale to vulnerable members of our community.”
Statistics obtained by The Profile show assaults in Thames and Kōpū increased an average of 125 per cent between between May and October this year, compared to the same period last year. Theft has risen an average of 38 per cent.
Adrian said Thames no longer felt safe for a large portion of the community, many of whom were elderly, and community members needed to do what they could to help.
“We need every single resident and ratepayer to be the eyes and ears of the Police and ring 105 and report where there’s increased activity around a residential house, for example… That way the Police can build up an intelligence process so they can then work out a plan,” Adrian said.
“The more people who phone in with information about where activities out of the norm are taking place, then the quicker we can get on top of this problem.”
The TCB will also be doing its part, Adrian said.
“Our board members are prepared to get behind a campaign where we can install more CCTV cameras in town… There was some reticence in earlier days about the Privacy Act. My argument is, if they’re doing what they’re doing and it’s legal, then they’ve got no fear,” he said.
“We have just got to move into the 21st century and install cameras under our verandahs here in Pollen St.
“But cameras on their own are not sufficient. We need business owners, property owners, to start ensuring that the lights are on underneath their verandas at night.”
Adrian said the board would discuss the measures at its February meeting, and had already spoken to Police about optimal places to install cameras in the central business area.
The Profile also understands Police have been working with Thames-Coromandel District Council, the Ministry of Social Development and local iwi to tackle the issue of the rough sleeper encampment in Danby Field behind Porritt Park, with the aim of trespassing any squatters before Christmas.
The Profile contacted council and Police for comment.
Adrian said he welcomed such initiatives, and would ideally like to see the trees cleared from the area as well to deter people from returning.
“The drug dealers, the drug users, the rough sleepers, the homeless, they’ve built themselves a little circle who congregate in various parts around town and it becomes like a sort of club…
“That saddens me because lots of them have got huge potential,” Adrian said.
“Ngāti Maru are doing a wonderful job in the background, unbeknown to most people in town to endeavour to rehome and help these people, but as the old case is that drugs are far more exciting than living in a house and having a roof over your head and being a normal person.”
The Profile has received many calls over the past few weeks about suspicious activities – one person said they regularly get up to 70 vehicles down their dead-end street every day, while another spoke of the traumatic discovery of a drug-related death at their neighbour’s home.
“I encourage anyone who has information about drug-related offending, or any other offending, to please get in touch,” Sergeant Hamilton said.
“Your identity will be well protected, so please contact us via 105 or come and see us at the local station.”
DETAILS: Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
