A community patrol for central Dunedin would be welcomed by police, who also plan to bolster their presence through a new proactive police unit from mid-June, Southern District tactical response manager Inspector Alastair Dickie said.
Community patrols at present patrolled the South Dunedin, North Dunedin and Mosgiel areas, and police were "keen to extend the community-patrol idea into the central city to increase the eyes and ears capability around the CBD".
At present, police were assisted by Maori wardens (in the CBD and Mosgiel), Dunedin City Council city safety officers (CBD), and Campus Watch (University of Otago area).
Insp Dickie said such patrols helped defuse "potential conflict situations" on city streets, and helped track offenders involved in assaults, fights, wilful damage and disorder.
While police and patrols could not be everywhere, it was imperative for the city's reputation that streets were safe for city and residents, and for the international visitors expected for the Rugby World Cup.
Insp Dickie said statistics showed inner-city violence had dropped but "the seriousness of some offending does cause concern, so the sooner violent situations can be identified and intercepted, the better".
Asked if more CCTV cameras should be introduced in the CBD, he said that was a political decision for the council to make.
"Extended coverage would be nice, particularly north along George St, an area of heavy foot traffic."
Tubby Hopkins, deputy chairman of the Community Patrols of New Zealand and the co-ordinator for the Dunedin South Community Patrol, said there were 130 community patrols in the country, including Dunedin South, Dunedin North and Mosgiel.
He supported a move for an inner-city patrol, but while north and south community patrols could cover the area in the short term, a creation of a new patrol would be recommended.
The Dunedin South patrol had more than 30 active volunteers who worked rostered hours, had their own transport, were supplied with police radio communications, and relied on donations, grants and community support.
The number of high-profile inner-city assaults, and vicious attacks on police highlighted the need for more patrols, he said.
• In tomorrow's Otago Daily Times Weekend Magazine Insp Dickie offers advice on avoiding violent confrontations.
