By DANIEL JACKSON
KAITAIA - Hanging out at Kaitaia's new skate park could earn skateboarders a bit of extra cash.
Kaitaia police, Work and Income New Zealand and a local business group want responsible skateboarders over the age of 18 to help keep the park safe for younger children and free of drugs, alcohol and crime.
Senior Constable Brian Camplin said skaters who fitted the bill would receive training and a $21 weekly top-up on their dole.
They would be issued with fluorescent armbands and would have to skate at the park at least three nights a week.
Official assistance will be close at hand as the police station is about 200m away.
Senior Constable Camplin said five skateboarders had already shown interest.
The skateboard park was built as a community project in the centre of town and since its completion about two months ago had helped to lower the level of crime in the area.
New patrol for Kaitaia's skateboard park
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