Napier locals applaud plans for action on beggars

ACTION: There has been community concern over a growing population of beggars in the Napier CBD. PHOTO/FILE.

The roll-out of security patrols to address Napier's growing population of beggars is being applauded by local businesses and emergency services.

This population has been blamed for increased reports of disorderly behaviour in the Napier CBD, which has affected trade in the area, led to safety fears among local businesses and placed emergency services under pressure.

After weeks of scrutiny, last week a "high-level" meeting to address concern was held between the Napier City Council, the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, NZ Police and the Ministry of Social Development.

A new central business district security programme was one outcome of the meeting, as outlined by the council's manager of community strategies, Natasha Carswell, in an email to city retailers this week.

She said the small number of people "engaging in anti-social and low-level criminal behaviour" were continuing to decline help to access housing and other support.

To address this in the short term, the council would be rolling out a "focused programme in the CBD that involves a security approach backed up by police when needed".

This programme - which would begin in the next two weeks - has been applauded by those feeling the effects of the issue.

Napier City Business Inc manager Zoe Barnes - whose organisation represents about 400 Napier businesses - said that so far retailers had been "overwhelmingly positive" about the proposed action.

"The concept of foot patrols has been widely used in many other New Zealand towns and is very successful at curbing disorderly behaviour," she said.

"We look forward to hearing the specifics around this approach and welcome its implementation."

Emergency services have also reported being under pressure.

Yesterday the acting area commander for Hawke's Bay, Inspector Matt Broderick, said police were "extremely positive" about the result of the meeting.

He said they were keen to see the development of "capable guardians, people who are out there, who are prepared to observe and provide information to the police as it happens".

"That will assist us to react quicker and potentially preventing crime as opposed to waiting for it to happen."

While it was hoped this increased security would address the issue in the short term, the council would continue working with local agencies to reduce homelessness in the long term, Ms Carswell said.

The "broader issue of homelessness and people in very vulnerable situations" would continue to be addressed through assistance provided by the Outreach Service and the new supported living project.

She said the service was doing well, and council was looking into ways to increase it - from extending the hours, providing additional funding and looking into its location.

DHB chief executive Kevin Snee, who attended the meeting, was not available for comment yesterday.

Acting chief executive Tracee Te Huia said the DHB was interested in this issue, and was working with other relevant organisations "to understand its responsibility in solving the issue".