16 February 2005

Business Association's Fight Against Crime Contributes To A ‘Safer Manukau’

Recently it was reported by Counties Manukau Police that burglaries to commercial premises are 26% lower than usual. Eastern Area Commander, Inspector Neil Adams says that this can be attributed to the influence of the Greenmount-East Tamaki Business Association, which is working with Police to reduce crime against businesses.

Manukau City Council’s Safer Manukau’s team leader Leeanne Di Bella says these are very heartening statistics and contribute in a positive way towards the ‘clean safe smart’ initiatives that are a priority from Tomorrow’s Manukau.

“Our goal is to work with and educate the community and to implement measures and strategies to make our city safer,” she says. “Council fosters a strong relationship with the police; today the emphasis is very much on partnerships and working together to make our city safer. This is an excellent example of that philosophy in action.”

Chairperson of the Greenmount-East Tamaki Business Association Elspeth Mount says, “From 1 December 2004 we increased the presence of security patrols in the area, giving a strong message that practical measures are being taken. Beyond this it is the responsibility of each business to ensure their buildings are secure and easily accessible. Burglars always look for a soft target.”

Ms Mount says the Association has received tremendous support from Eastern Police and Otara police. “We work together to get improved outcomes. One practical thing they have done is provide us with a comprehensive list of means to deter burglars. This is good advice, a lot of which is plain common sense but when applied, does act as a deterrent to put business premises in the ‘too hard’ category for burglars to target.

“Such measures as remembering to always physically protect your buildings and make them as difficult to access without a key as possible; automatic lighting; good fencing; removing items round the building which could aid entry; trimming trees and shrubs which could provide cover; installing industrial type locks, grills on accessible windows and surveillance devices; and putting lap tops and other expensive, easily removed equipment out of sight at close of business. These are just some of the security measures.”

Snr Sgt Lynne Matheson of Otara Police stresses these tactics need to be communicated to business premises throughout the city and of course most of these can be applied to private properties. “However, she emphasizes, “I was very concerned when I learnt of a report last December from security guards regularly patrolling the Greenmount-East Tamaki business area, who found 80 insecure premises. This makes the burglar’s life very easy. We must be constantly vigilant and each do our bit to prevent crime and keep our communities safe.

“A more comprehensive explanation of deterrents is available on the Greenmount-East Tamaki Business Association’s website www.getba.org.nz. I encourage businesses to visit the site and down load the advice on how to reduce the risk of crime by making their premises more secure.”

For further information on Safer Manukau visit the website www.safermanukau.co.nz

ENDS

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