Media Release

Monday, 7 July 2008

Private Security Proposed for Manukau City

Private security guards could patrol the streets and town centres of Manukau if a proposal floated by Community Safety portfolio leader Councillor Dick Quax gets the green light.

"Community safety has been consistently identified by Manukau people as one of their greatest concerns," says Cr Quax.

"People are asking what the Council is doing to protect people and their property".

Cr Quax says that Manukau has a committed and effective police force but the reality is that it is grossly under resourced.

The Counties Manukau Police District serves a population of 450,000 people and has 730 sworn officers, one sworn officer for every six hundred and sixteen people.

"That is very low by New Zealand standards and exceptionally low when compared to overseas jurisdictions. Australia for example has one sworn officer for every 430 people".

"It is the principal responsibility of central government to ensure the protection of its people and their property. It is my view that the present government is failing to adequately protect Manukau people and I have asked council officials to prepare a report to go to our Policy and Activity Committee where a decision will be made regarding beefing up security on our streets".

Background

1. In recent weeks there have been three killings in Manukau around the Manurewa area.

2. The matter of council engaging a private security provider was discussed at a Council forum and all councillors present agreed that the matter should be subject of a report to Council's Policy & Activities Committee.

3. Council currently provides funding for a variety of community safety initiatives, including Community Crime Patrols, Maori Wardens, security officers and private investigators.

ENDS

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