Extra security costs a new reality at Auckland Council?
 
Auckland Councillor for Orakei Cameron Brewer says ratepayers should be concerned at seeing a bevy of heavies shadowing the Mayor at the opening of the new Panmure Station yesterday.    

"I don’t believe ratepayers should be funding security guards to surround the Mayor on such occasions. A few hecklers and peaceful demonstrators exercising their democratic right is no justification.

"It's an unprecedented sight to have a New Zealand mayor surrounded by publicly-funded heavies to open a suburban railway station.

"Rest assured extra security is just another cost ratepayers may need to get used to over the next three years.”
 
Mr Brewer says there was a huge police and private security presence at the Town Hall for the inauguration of the council in November and guards were employed for council meetings leading up to Christmas.
 
“It’s just another cost that has come out of all of this – ratepayers are sadly forking out for more security, more spin-doctors, and more lawyers.
 
“The council’s new CEO needs to reassess the organisation’s security requirements and make sure that if the wider council is engaging more security guards they are actually needed.
 
“Auckland’s ratepayer need to be absolutely assured that they’re not just funding over-the-top political cotton wool," says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS