Neighbourhood watch groups, improved street lighting and a stronger police presence were among the initiatives discussed at a public meeting in Kaitangata last night.
About 70 Kaitangata residents, Clutha district councillors and representatives from the police and fire service attended the two-hour meeting in the Kaitangata War Memorial Hall, which Kaitangata and Districts Promotions chairman Beau Williams said was very positive.
The meeting was arranged by Mr Williams and S.
Joyce Beck to spearhead a community response to the recent spate of arson attacks in the town.
"The whole idea was to get everyone on the same wavelength and communicate with police," Mr Williams said.
Until the town could get good communication lines operating, the police would not be able to do an effective job, Mr Williams said.
"The information-sharing was pretty good."
One of the questions raised the possibility of setting up neighbourhood watch groups, which he believed would go ahead.
"[The police] told us how to go about setting that up."
An "upshot" from the meeting was that everyone was now aware there would be a stronger police presence in the town, he said.
However, Mr Williams was pragmatic about the length of time it would take to change things.
He said the meeting represented a community taking responsibility and moving forward.
"There is no silver bullet."
