05 August 2002

George Hawkins
Minister of Police
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON

Dear Mr Hawkins

Police Station Closure In Glenfield

The recent violent crime at the Glenfield Tavern highlights the need for the retention of a meaningful and substantial police presence in Glenfield. It seems ironic that at present we are facing the closure of our nearest Police Station.

I believe it is important to observe that this community perceives the planned retreat from the Glenfield retail area as a victory for crime, and a loss of security for our citizens. Policing involves not only clearance rates but also delivering a sense of security to the citizens of the communities they serve. This sense of security will be massively eroded by the proposed departure of a police presence.

Police refer to a shortage of resources. Here are reasons why this station should be reinforced not eliminated. Glenfield station is the second busiest in the country. North Shore has the lowest police manning levels of any city in the country by a very wide margin. Glenfield and the whole North Shore City area continues to experience high population growth, including large numbers of youth and ethic diversity on a scale never experienced before. The Glenfield retail centre is one of the busiest in the city and still growing.

In my opinion closure of this station defies all common sense and logic. I cannot imagine a more compelling location for reinforcement rather than retreat.

I would appreciate your assistance in finding resources to do the right thing for this community and maintain a meaningful and visible police presence in Glenfield where it is so obviously needed.

Yours faithfully

Gerald Sharrock
CHAIRPERSON
GLENFIELD COMMUNITY BOARD

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