Police get message across at meeting

Breaking the culture of silence in Kaitangata is something organisers of Tuesday night's public meeting in the town are hoping for.

The meeting in the Kaitangata War Memorial Hall was organised by Kaitangata and Districts Promotions Group chairman Beau Williams and another resident, Joyce Beck, to get the police and Kaitangata residents communicating with each other and to discuss ways to improve safety in their town in the wake of a spate of arson attacks.

Balclutha police announced recently a community constable base would be set up in Kaitangata, but have yet to finalise details.

Balclutha's community constable, Tom Taylor, said the culture of silence in Kaitangata which stopped people from reporting crimes to the police was driven by fear of retribution, loyalty, and "good people turning a blind eye".

Mrs Beck also felt fear of retribution hindered communication with police.

She said media were asked not to attend Tuesday's meeting because "we wanted people to be able to say whatever they felt without fear of retribution."

"The police put their viewpoint across very well. People feel more confident with reporting things to the police confidentially."

A community standing up for itself was a positive step, Const Taylor said.

"... by not helping us, the people they are affecting the most are the victims."

Mr Williams said the police had increased patrols "and the community constable will be spending more time here".

Kaitangata fire chief Kevin Sutton said the meeting focused on how the police wanted Kaitangata residents to get in contact with them.

"We talked about different ways of talking to the police ... If they don't want to talk to police, they can talk to me.

"There is some good stuff happening in Kaitangata. It's a shame some clown is ruining it for everyone else."

Before the meeting, a pamphlet was delivered to houses in Kaitangata which stated its purpose was to: "discuss the safety precautions [Kaitangata] can put in place to make [the] town a safer place in which to live."

- rachel.taylor@odt.co.nz