Oamaru businesses may help pay for the Waitaki Guardians, who patrol the town's streets at night to reduce crime.
The Waitaki District Council's community services committee has recommended $15,000 a year be taken from the business rates in the current financial year for the Waitaki Guardians project.
It has also recommended the council reviews the project in the next three financial years with a view to continuing funding.
The guardians were set up originally as community street wardens in 2007 after an increase in vandalism and disorderly behaviour, particularly at night in central Oamaru.
That was after the council had rejected installing closed circuit television cameras, which could have cost almost $90,000.
To help finance the guardians, the council obtained $75,000 in funding from the Ministry of Justice over three years, ending next year.
It is still waiting to hear if that funding will be renewed.
The guardians scheme was paid for with council contributions, grants and fundraising.
Five guardians are employed by the council and managed through the Project Turnaround restorative justice programme in Oamaru.
According to a report presented to the committee on Tuesday, the Waitaki Guardians have been extremely successful, contributing to the 19% decline in crime and helping achieve the high 66% rate of crimes solved.
Retailers have reported a dramatic change in behaviour and less damage and vandalism in the business district.
The guardians have also been ambassadors for the district.
