Eight police stationed in the Waitaki Valley to prevent the trouble that occurred among young people last year, including five in Otematata, reported a very quiet weekend, with no arrests.
The increased police presence, along with the Waitaki Guardians and a special Kids' Camp for teenagers, were part of a plan put together by police, the Waitaki District Council, the Ahuriri Community Board, Waitaki Rural Fire, the community and students through Students Against Driving Drunk.
Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said yesterday the action plan, along with a temporary liquor ban in Otematata township and at the Kids' Campsite, had an effect on behaviour.
A debriefing session would be held with all those involved to look at the weekend and plan for next year.
Asked if the same measures, including the Kids' Campsite, would be repeated, Snr Sgt McCoy could not see why not, because of the success at the weekend.
Kids' Campsite supervisor Scott Ridley said about 60 to 80 teenagers stayed on Sunday night, compared with the peak of about 120 on Saturday night.
They left yesterday morning.
He praised their behaviour during the weekend and also felt similar measures could be used next year, if everyone agreed.
"It was so successful, why wouldn't it be?" he said.
