Editorial: Reactions to attack gladden the heart

Scene of the abduction of a female jogger.

Friday's abduction of a female jogger from our city's Hatea Loop walkway shocked many people - including the community-minded souls who organised Sunday's Reclaim Our Loop rally.

But they did something positive in response. A group of 10 regular loop users organised the rally as a show of support for the victim, and as a sign of solidarity for our town.

These ladies deserve congratulations. It shows there are people out there who are proud of Whangarei, and positively engaged with it.

Good on you.

And credit where credit is due, to the Whangarei District Council which is going to complete what was a half-finished project, and light the walkway on the Pohe Island side, so it can be used safely in darkness.

And good on the police, who did a great job on Friday.

The public are quick to criticise and complain about what some perceive to be slow burglary response times and swift issuing of speeding tickets.

But, on Friday, Whangarei police excelled in the job that inspires many officers to join the police force in the first place... a crime was committed, and a suspect was caught.

Hours after this horrible crime took place, an arrest was made and charges laid.

Nothing can change what has happened, but when a constable or sergeant can say to a superior officer "We've got him", and that message can be relayed to the victim and her family, it is reassuring that, when you need them in a situation like this, the police are there.