Kapiti Coast Beach Safety Education Campaign A Success

New Zealand Police Wellington News Release
6:20pm 15 December 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4587

Agencies involved in Saturday's beach safety education campaign on the Kapiti Coast were pleasantly surprised by the level of awareness and compliance.

More than 300 contacts with members of the public were made along the stretch of coastline from Paekakariki to Te Horo, and no infringement notices were issued.

"People were pleased to see us and were genuinely interested in safety and compliance issues," said Wellington Police Iwi Liaison Officer Clive Puna.

Police, Kapiti Coast District Council, the Ministry of Fisheries, Greater Wellington Regional Council and others took part in the operation following concerns about under-sized fisheries catches; people exercising their dogs off leads outside the designated zones; and vehicles driving along the beach jeopardising the safety of other beach users, especially children.

Warnings were issued to 30 vehicle drivers for driving vehicles in prohibited areas.

"It was pleasing to see the level of awareness and compliance from the local community," Mr Puna said. "We remain concerned however that mainly out of town visitors believe it is their right to drive vehicles on the beach, especially at Paraparaumu and Waikanae."

"We were very pleased to be able to take part in the operation," Kapiti Coast District Council Regulatory Manager Ken Smith said.

"It certainly seems to have been very successful and achieved its goal of creating a highly visible enforcement presence on the Kapiti Coast's beaches.

"It's an exercise that needs to be repeated again later in the summer when visitor numbers are higher," he said.

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