Rotorua businesses fight back against street offenders

Rotorua retailers fed up with anti-social behaviour are on a mission to rid the city centre of fighting, intimidation and crime.
Shop Rotorua promotions co-ordinator Cath Weston and other members of the organisation have produced a submission form for retailers to put their concerns to the council about rising levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in the central business district.
Serious Fun co-owner Derek Enright and McDonald's Rotorua owner Rob Parry said anyone sick of graffiti, vandalism, intimidation, fighting, spitting, abusive language, urination and vomiting in business doorways, stealing, begging, loitering, weapons, drug dealing and drug use and the drinking of alcohol in public places should get behind the initiative.
"Over the past six months we have had our Ronald McDonald charity boxes stolen, attempted arson in the restaurant ... countless fights outside the restaurant and on a number of occasions have had to shelter injured tourists from their attackers," Mr Parry said.
"The abuse our staff receive from the youths is constant and unjustified."
Most of the trouble was caused by children aged 12 to 18 and wasn't just happening during school holidays, he said.
Mr Enright said retailers were sick of being told by MPs and councillors something would be done. He said he didn't believe they understood the severity of the problem.
"Bearing in mind we are a major tourist destination we hope council will take the lead in this ... so we can move forward quickly and efficiently to solve this problem before it is too late."
He said retailers were prepared to pay for extra security patrols as part of a possible partnership with the council. He said it was unreasonable to have police patrolling the city centre at all times. "I will be taking the submissions to council and will present it to the mayor and councillors as part of the Annual Plan process.
"We are doing this submission for Shop Rotorua on behalf of all business owners in the central business district.
"It's an open [invitation] to all those people to sign our submission," Mr Enright said.
Rotorua District Council chief executive Peter Guerin said council managers preferred not to comment on individual submissions before the council had a chance to consider them in depth and review other submissions on related subjects.
Submissions close on Tuesday, May 3, public hearings would be held between May 17 and 19 and the mayor and councillors would discuss each submission received at meetings in June. The final Annual Plan for 2011/12 would be adopted at a council meeting on June 30.
To support Shop Rotorua's submission email Cath Weston at cathweston@slingshot.co.nz or fax your submission form to (07) 348 7465. Submission forms are available from Mrs Weston or from the City Focus.
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