Friday, February 6, 2015
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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
Top digs for lost dogs
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Life as a lost dog in the Ashburton District just got a lot brighter with the opening of the council’s high-tech, $576,000 dog pound.
Richard puts Rakaia into a spin P3
Accord is working, pubs claim P8
Being safe – it’s your call BY DAISY HUDSON
DAISY.H@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Mid/South Canterbury’s top cop is calling for the Ashburton community to take responsibility following last weekend’s alcohol-fuelled brawl in the CBD. About 150 people were at the scene of the disorder on East Street which left several people with serious injuries, including a police officer who required stitches to his face. Ten people have been arrested in relation to the brawl so far.
Mid/South Canterbury area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said responsibility for public safety was a “shared thing”, and not just down to police. On Facebook many people expressed concern about the safety of downtown Ashburton, with Christine Richards commenting that it was “sad and worrying that our great little piece of New Zealand has become an unsafe place.” The partner of one of the
men knocked unconscious shortly before the brawl, who wished only to be identified as Anna, also said Ashburton had become a dangerous place. Mr Gaskin believed part of the problem was the supply of alcohol in the early hours of the morning. “If the community really feels unsafe, perhaps the community needs their local representatives to say “well hang on, we don’t want alcohol outlets open as late as they are,” he said.
“For a community to be safe, the responsibility lies permanently with that community.” His comments were similar to those made by Ashburton District mayor Angus McKay earlier this week. He said it was up to all members of the community to assist in the behavioural change that was needed to stop brawls from happening. While a higher police presence would be helpful it was not the only answer, and Mr McKay believed quick reporting by the
public could ensure a potentially violent incident was stopped early. Mr Gaskin said he was confident that “99 per cent of the time” there were more than enough police to do the job. “I could also say that policing organisations around the world will often have times when they don’t have enough staff for things they have to face,” he said. “That’s the nature of the beast.” Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!
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