Residents promised lighting on path after youths cause problems

41 residents signed a petition to get lights installed on a path after youths cause problems. Photo/Thinkstock

A Tauranga neighbourhood yesterday succeeded after three attempts to persuade the council to tackle problems caused by louts congregating in an access way.

Councillors agreed to install security lighting on a path linking Ocean Downs Reserve and Francevic Ave in Arataki.

They were responding to a petition from 41 residents, including an appeal from a 92-year-old disabled woman who complained she was being terrorised by the antics of youths.

The petition to close the access which doubles as a stormwater flow path was tabled at a meeting of the city delivery committee.

Council transportation manager Martin Parkes warned that closing the access could have a negative impact during heavy rain and could lead to nearby properties being flooded.

Problems listed by the elderly woman included bottles being smashed in the walkway after drinking sessions, beer cans thrown over the fence, eggs and rotten fruit being thrown against the side of her house and stones thrown at her garage door.

She had twice caught children climbing the fence into her property and her house had also been burgled.

The situation had come to a head recently when a bourbon bottle was smashed against her garage door and someone turned on her garden tap.

The council opted to try security lighting and perhaps a security camera to combat the problem caused by the youths.

Meeting chairman Kelvin Clout said if that failed they would consider closing the access way although council staff warned that a barrier would just become a challenge for children.

Councillor Steve Morris said it was the third time that residents had petitioned the council in the last 10 or 12 years.

He said a really bad element was intimidating residents.