Cr Benedict Ong. PHOTO: ODT FILES Dunedin’s mayor says she is deeply concerned by harassment of elected members as more details of an alleged incident at a councillor’s house emerge. The Otago Daily Times yesterday reported Cr Benedict Ong saying he had contacted police over serious concerns for his safety after a man allegedly pulled down his home security cameras on Thursday morning. Cr Ong, in a council meeting at the time, said he was ‘‘highly concerned’’ for his personal safety following rare instances of physical and online threats. Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker said safety and security were an ongoing concern for many local government representatives, herself included. ‘‘It’s well-known that councillors are a target ... not just the online stuff, but also in-person harassment. Ms Barker said she had not spoken to Cr Ong about the matter, but it was ‘‘really sad and upsetting’’. ‘‘It’s just not acceptable to enter on to someone’s property and do that. I can imagine that he’s feeling quite worried about it.’’ She was worried security incidents could prevent people standing for local government office. ‘‘If they see all these concerns, then are they willing to put themselves out there and serve their community?’’ A man claiming to be the person at the centre of the alleged incident contacted the ODT yesterday. He claimed to have been trying to contact Cr Ong for some time, so felt visiting his house was an appropriate course of action. Despite acknowledging he had entered the property, the man claimed ‘‘there’s no sinister, menacing motive at all’’. He accepted he had moved two cameras and acknowledged Cr Ong had a right to film his property but said he was uncomfortable being on camera. ‘‘I don’t like being videoed at the best of times,’’ the man said. The man claimed to have entered Cr Ong’s property off the street, walked up the side of the house and stopped at a locked gate, before leaving the property. Cr Ong yesterday said movement near the cameras would have triggered light and sound alarms. ‘‘In spite of that, this person has continued and gone on and taken those cameras offline.’’ He also expressed worry safety concerns would deter people from standing for office. ‘‘None of us who serve should face personal safety risks and concerns in our service.’’ ‘‘I hope this can change for the better and encourage more community members that simply desire for things to be better, to stand and serve.’’ Police were unable to comment on Thursday, citing reasons of privacy. ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz
