2 August 2022
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Motorcyclists harrassing people on reserves
Enquiry
This issue has raised its head again in an ugly way.
Kelly Albrecht has tonight posted about a horrible incident that happened to her daughter running on the fields tonight (pasted below).
This follows another incident from Sammy Harris relating to the same fields only a few weeks earlier. In this incident two men on trial bikes also threatened a dad and his children, then turned on Harris (who lives on the border of the fields) and threatened to burn his house down.
Harris has just had to spend more than $3k on security cameras and he can't let his kids play on the field anymore. He said he's rung the council and police several times and nothing changes.
Post from Kelly Albrecht:
Warning - This afternoon while Tyla was training on Ray Board park, 3 x guys on motorbikes harrassed and followed her while she was running, yelling out gang words at her. She put her head down and carried on running and came past and told me (I was on the field). It was at that point they started to aim for her from behind. She was about 50m away from me when one of the guys aimed at her and then pulled out last minute and spun out and hit the ground. You would think this would be enough to stop him, but nope, he got up whilst spinning his bike round and round on the ground and aimed straight back for her. She tried to run around him, but he was lining her up again. A guy biking past on the footpath yelled out at him which was enough to startle him and he took off. As a parent, I am so angry that there are people in our community who ruin it for our kids! Tyla is shaken by the incident and now fearful to ever set foot on Ray Board park ever again, claiming "that was my worst nightmare while training". Please be aware if your kids are ever out on the Westbrook fields/Ray Board. Tyla is only 12 years old and this could've ended so much worse.
Can someone please respond to the following questions if possible by midday or earlier (given this issue is already out there, we might publish online earlier). Let's know if any issues getting hold of someone though.
Questions:
- Has the council noticed this behaviour/complaints to council have increased in recent weeks (we are also talking to police)?
- Has the council done anything recently to try to stop it?
- What can the council do? Is there a way of blocking entrances?
- Tania Tapsell mentioned on social media she's asked for security cameras for the area. Is this a possibility?
- Has the council talk with police specifically about this problem?
- Would security patrols help?
Response
From Director, Community Safety and Wellbeing, Julianne Wilkinson:
Council is aware of a number of complaints relating to motorbikes accessing Westbrook and Ray Boord Park, which include riding specifically to cause damage on the sports fields and using the reserve as a thoroughfare. We have recently been informed that this also includes threatening behaviour towards those legitimately using the reserve for recreational activity.
Anyone who witnesses or experiences this type of behaviour is strongly encouraged to report the incidence in as much detail as possible to the Police who have the ability and authority to respond appropriately.
Community safety is a key priority of Council’s 2021 – 2031 Long-term Plan and Council is committed to working in partnership with Police and other key safety stakeholders to focus its safety efforts on providing response and support to reduce anti-social and criminal behaviour, and to ensure our public spaces are safe and enjoyable for all users.
Council does work with Police as much as possible to ensure information is shared about complaints such as these.
While CCTV cameras are an option, given the number of access points to the reserves, as well as the speed and nature of the offenders, cameras are unlikely to be an effective deterrent or tool for capturing information to pursue the offenders.
Additionally, Westbrook and Ray Boord Park have multiple entry points to allow the community easy access to the reserve, as well as shared pathways for recreational activity and to increase accessibility for those using mobility devices. Council has undertaken work in Thebes Street to limit vehicle access and improvements to fencing around the reserve is ongoing. However we are mindful that any initiatives to keep motorbikes out of the reserve will also negatively impact access for legitimate users.
The damage to the grassed reserves can be rectified during normal field maintenance, so there is no significant additional costs. Most recently damage was caused to the cricket nets and surfaces at Ray Boord Park, and Council are working through this with Rotorua Cricket Association.
If the public would like to report an issue to Council, our Customer Centre is available 24 hours a day on 07 348 4199. If there is an immediate threat to the public on a Council reserve, people should contact the Police by calling 111, or call 105 to report the detail after an event.
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Media: Radio NZ
Topic: Whakarewarewa road collapse
Enquiry
RNZ sought any further update on the Whakarewarewa Village road collapse.
Response
Reporter was referred to the updates available on Council’s website:
Update on road collapse in Whakarewarewa Village - Rotorua Lakes Council