28 January 2025

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Police Operation Trolley

Enquiry

Request received by Mayor:

I was wondering if you could respond please to criticism around the police's three-day Operation Trolley operation in Rotorua.

Do you think it was a good idea to send a strong message to the homeless in our CBD or was it too heavy handed for those vulnerable people.

Response

From Mayor Tania Tapsell:

“Ratepayers can’t continue to keep paying the cost of cleaning up the city when homeless are knowingly stealing trolleys for inappropriate use and illegally dumping them.

In the past it’s been a major issue with around 260 trolleys per month being collected at a cost of $5000. As part of our action to improve community safety Council had already met with local businesses and had commitment they’d retrieve trolleys within 48 hours.

Dumping trolleys can’t continue and I’m proud we’re fixing issues in partnership with our community to make Rotorua a better place.

We’re also grateful for the Police for their commitment to keep Rotorua safe. It’s not reasonable to criticise Police for doing their job, especially when some of the people they arrested are already known for violent offences, theft, and trespassing.”