New Zealand Police Operation APEC 99

Media Release

Operation APEC 99 Commander Detective Superintendent Peter Marshall says there are no plans for a 'city cleanup' campaign before next month's APEC operation.

He says there is no intention to implement an arrest campaign targeting itinerants or vagrants prior to the September APEC operation. "We are not planning a campaign to get these people off the streets and it has never been any part of our thought processes. It is unnecessary and not in keeping with our policing practices."

However, Mr Marshall says with the Auckland Domain closed to the public from 6pm on Saturday September 11 until 6pm Monday September 13th a number of people who currently live rough in that area will be moved for that period of closure.

Police will be approaching the Domain itinerants either directly or through a social services organisation intermediary to establish what they want to do for the 2-3 nights that the Domain will be secured.

There is a range of options available involving welfare organisations, private arrangements involving associates or family or to facilitate tenting arrangements with food & refreshments supplied by Police (Stanley Street area).

"It should be noted that many of these people have made a conscious choice not to take advantage of the currently available welfare facilities and may not desire assistance.

"All we can do is to offer alternatives but the final decisions rests with the individual and they may well just wander off.

"We will work to find an appropriate and mutually acceptable resolution," he says.

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