Scheme puts kart first to build teen-police relationship

(From left) Instructor Rex Turner, Ari Hansard (15), Chris Barker (14), Darryl Shaw (16), Chin Loh, Jacob King (14), Constable Julian Real, Jono Scott (15) and Manu Spooner (14) during construction of a kart at the Otago Polytechnic workshop in Forth St this week. Photo by Jane Dawber.

They are helping them build high-performance karts.

The Car Club was developed by Dunedin North Community Constable Julian Real to raise self-esteem, improve employment prospects, provide male mentoring and help build the relationship between young people and police.

"These kids are only really interested in girls, booze and cars and we can't do a course on girls and booze," Const Real said.

"The idea was that constantly chasing young people with a mechanical bent and issuing them with tickets was, to a degree, self-defeating. What emerged was a them-and-us culture between young people and police.

"It was considered a better way to try and resolve these issues would be to build relationships, gain trust and educate young people on why certain things are illegal and dangerous," he said.

"The kids have been wonderful. They've been turning up every week full of enthusiasm.

We're seeing some big shifts in attitude to the police and other people."

The 250cc, five-speed karts can reach up to 60kmh and cost between $2000 and $2500 to build.

The initiative quickly became a North Dunedin community project, with Unichem Gardens Pharmacy owner Chin Loh donating $3000 and the Dunedin Blue Light Committee $2000 towards the cost of the karts.

The group started manufacturing the karts in February, supervised by Otago Polytechnic auto mechanical senior lecturer Rex Turner and a group of skilled volunteer instructors.

"They've done very well. I've been really impressed," Mr Turner said.

The two karts will be completed in time to be entered in the Secondary Schools Grass Cart Challenge in Darfield, in September.

nigel.benson@odt.co.nz