Canterbury Police celebrate party safety scheme

An initiative aimed at keeping people holding residential parties safe has reached a milestone.

Five hundred parties have been registered on the website ‘Good One’, which was set up in February 2014 to help ensure the safe hosting of parties in Canterbury.

This has covered more than 42,000 guests.

The party register is available to anyone hosting a party in Christchurch, as well as the Mid Canterbury, Selwyn, and North Canterbury districts.

“The ‘Good One’ register has been particularly effective with university and polytech students, by allowing them to confidentially lodge their party details with Police,” says Sergeant Steve Jones of the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

They are then contacted by local officers who provide advice and support to safely run their party, so it is a “Good One” for everyone.

‘Good One’ is an initiative backed by a number of agencies, including Police, ACC, ARA, the University of Canterbury Students Association and Lincoln University Students Association.

“The Police approach has never been about spoiling a party – it’s always been about making sure people have a good time safely.

The goal is to provide good common sense advice and build positive relationships with those hosting parties.

“Since the launch of this website, problems associated with residential parties have diminished dramatically, to the point that Police are now welcomed to parties,” Mr Jones says.

“We’re pleased our approach to ensuring people are safe when they party is proving to be successful.

Knowledge about ‘Good One’ is spreading from student to student, and parent to parent,” says Mr Jones.

Ara Student Services Manager Diana Law says: “We have supported Good One since the beginning, we have found it really useful for Ōtautahi House and our students.

It just gives that sense of safety, it helps students to be good neighbours and to know they have the backup if needed to ensure they have a really good night.”

ENDS

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