Clutha District Council Kaitangata-Matau ward councillor Bruce Graham made the comments in response to a letter from former Balclutha police prevention Sergeant Chris Parsons voicing support for CCTV for Kaitangata.
The council approved funding support for its installation during its meeting in Balclutha on Thursday.
Civic improvement body Kaitangata Promotions requested cameras for the town in 2023, after locals became fed up with "burnouts and skids, vehicle racing and unlicensed youth driving dangerously".
In Sgt Parsons’ letter, he said such behaviour was "promoted and encouraged" by some residents, under the "Kai Rulz" philosophy.
"These incidents are often dangerous and pose a huge risk to the safety of the persons engaging in them and the wider public.
"[Among] the barriers which police face [is that] the community is small and made up of tight-knit residents who are often reluctant to provide police with any physical evidence in fear of retribution."
However, during Thursday’s meeting, Cr Graham took exception to Sgt Parsons’ negative characterisation.
"[The CCTV] is aimed at keeping an eye on community projects where hard work has gone in.
"I do take exception to the letter from the police, bagging Kaitangata residents and Kai Rulz though.
"I believe [Kai Rulz] gives young people a sense of identity and positivity about their town, and it gets my back up when police try to paint Kai as the Wild West."
While steering clear of the Kai Rulz debate, other councillors were broadly supportive of the project.
In December 2023, the council endorsed funding of $9000 for cameras for Owaka.
Balclutha has a long-standing network of CCTV cameras.
The council voted unanimously to fund 50% ($5622.50) of two cameras for Kaitangata, which will overlook the town’s Memorial Gardens, BMX and skateparks, and its main Eddystone St intersection.
It would also fund signage and operational costs for the first year of the project ($1226).
