Safety panel established in Flaxmere after horror death

A safety panel has been established in Flaxmere following the death of Kelly Alex Donner. Photo/Warren Buckland

A community devastated by the death of one of their own is working to turn things around by way of a safety panel.

Kelly Alex Donner was found dead in the carpark of the Flax Bar and Eatery in Swansea Rd, next to the Flaxmere Village Shopping Centre, on March 4.

After a homicide investigation, four teenagers were arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The accused appeared in the Hastings Youth Court where they were remanded without plea to reappear on April 19.

Donner's death rocked the community, who have since kick started an organised movement to address safety concerns in the neighbourhood.

Wharaiki Trust chief executive Ana Apatu said a safety panel of six, driven by the community and backed by the council, had been established to scope out existing safety committees and determine if a new one needed to be established.

"They are just wanting to come together and connect and provide solutions where the community feels more safe. They're trying to look proactively. It's a big event for the community and I would say there has been a very positive responses."

Kelly Alex Donner, 40, was found dead outside a pub in Flaxmere earlier this month. Photo/Supplied

Donner's death was shortly proceeded by an alleged assault on a 14-year-old female by a 12-year-old girl at Flaxmere Library.

Flaxmere Community Centre posted a message on social media and said the library had closed "in the wake of a nasty attack on a young member of the public".

Last month two youths, a 19-year-old man and his 8-year-old cousin, were also allegedly set upon by three people riding two horses in Swansea Village in Flaxmere, behind the library, about 11.30am.

At the time police described the offenders as in their early teens, aged between 13 and 16, wearing red and black clothing and bandannas.

Apatu said in the days since the safety panel was established it was clear people were "deeply saddened" by Donner's death and wanted to contribute and support the initiative.

One idea floated at a public meeting on Sunday night was to enforce a curfew, she said.

"There was mention of a curfew but again, that's going to be explored...the nominated people will now scope out what is already existing, network with those various committees and then come back to the wider group with some recommendations."

Detective senior sergeant Martin James stands beside a memorial close to the site where Kelly Donner died. Photo/Duncan Brown

A Hastings District Council spokesperson said the council had so far supported the safety panel by spreading the message about a meeting held on Sunday.

"[The] council is supportive of groups and/or initiatives that are put together to enhance our communities of interest.

"In this instance, the group has come together in the wake of a difficult period featuring safety issues. Depending on the initiatives the group comes up with, [the] council may be in a position to support it further."

The safety panel was keen to hear from young people so the council officer responsible for Flaxmere was helping by preparing a questionnaire to be circulated to groups and services in contact with Flaxmere youth, they said.

The council officer was also set to support the group to prepare a panui that the group would circulate among social media and their many contacts to keep the wider community informed.

Hastings District Flaxmere councillor Henare O'Keefe said security measures such as having the local police station open for longer and placing Maori wardens in the heart of the community could go some way to making Flaxmere safer.

Apatu said another community meeting was set to be held next month, with a date yet to be confirmed.