Locals not blamed for church fire

By BECK VASS
A Welcome Bay church Pastor has defended youths in the area _ despite suspicions some young people have been setting fires around his church.
Welcome Bay Baptist Church Centre Pastor Dave Sales said three youths were interrupted by a member of the public and a security alarm as they broke into the gymnasium at the Baptist Centre where the church is based about 10pm on Wednesday.
Shortly after, a fire was lit just outside the entrance to the centre and the same youths, aged about 12 to 14, are suspected to be involved.
Youths have also been seen vandalising and drawing graffiti in the shopping area at Welcome Bay, prompting worried retailers to hire a security guard.
Five fires _ one of which threatened to burn down the Welcome Bay Community Church _ have sparked callouts from Tauranga firefighters in the past eight days.
Other fires saw a clothing bin set on fire outside Mr Sales' church on Wednesday morning and last week bushes in Waipuna Park were set on fire.
The fires have not dampened Mr Sales' spirits.
"There's a strong similarity with what happened in the Community Church and what happened here, the park, and the clothing bin. I'm certain it's one crew that's going around," Mr Sales said.
"I don't think the local kids are as bad as some people make out. We've got a few that are making it bad for the majority."
Mr Sales said he had seen groups of 20 or more youths playing in the park, having a ``jolly good time'' _ not causing trouble.
Mr Sales said he was disappointed there was a fire lit outside his church.
"But I've been around long enough to know it's not everybody, it is the isolated few," he added.
"I think it's a small crew, it's not the general populace. The general youth in the area are good."
It was hard to find a solution to help the youths that did cause trouble, Mr Sales said.
"While there is always a need for youth club-type activities often the kids who are wanting to do the damage are not wanting to get into anything like that. They're often the ones who are on the outside of society anyway."
Mr Sales said he was grateful to the people who had interrupted the youths and backed firefighter's calls for the public to report any suspicious activity to police.
Meanwhile, retailers in the Welcome Bay shops have noticed vandalism in the area has slowed since hiring a security guard to patrol the area.