The Port Chalmers community has seen its police presence drop in the last 30 years from five to just two, and does not want that number halved, Chalmers Community Board chairwoman Jan Tucker says.
About 50 people attended a meeting in the town yesterday to hear Southern police district commander Superintendent Bob Burns and Dunedin-Clutha area commander Inspector Dave Campbell explain the police's plans for a restructuring that could have that result.
Multiple changes to Dunedin's policing were outlined late last month in a proposal that would see at least 30 Dunedin police staff relocated from four suburban police stations.
Two-man stations at Port Chalmers and Green Island would become sole-charge stations.
The plan has attracted criticism from community leaders concerned about the loss of police in their areas.
Dunedin South MP Clare Curran raised concerns there would be a reduced police presence on South Dunedin streets, and has organised a public meeting on December 1.
Mrs Tucker said people at the Port Chalmers Town Hall meeting yesterday recognised the police were trying to reduce crime, but losing one officer " may be at the expense of the community".
"The feeling definitely was we want to retain the status quo down here - that came through quite strongly."
Concerns were also raised about the effect on police response times for incidents in Aramoana.
The community board would put together a submission on the restructuring, Mrs Tucker said, and she would report to the community board on Wednesday.
