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CitySafe initiatives improve safety and reduce crime and many rely on effective partnerships with Police, other agencies, business and community groups.
Public perception of safety in the city has improved considerably:
- In 2008, 15% of residents felt unsafe in Hamilton's Central City area at night
- In 2010, 10% of residents felt unsafe in Hamilton's Central City area at night
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CitySafe initiatives
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Crime prevention cameras
Council owns and operates 20 closed circuit television (CCTV) placed strategically around the CBD. The cameras are actively monitored by staff who have radio contact with the Police and the CitySafe Patrol team.
CCTV is a valuable tool in detecting unwelcome behaviour and ensuring a rapid and appropriate response.
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City Safe Patrol
Officers patrol the CBD every day and act as ambassadors for the city. and are extra 'eyes' and 'ears' on the street.
Linked to the CCTV operators they observe and report disorder and crime and their presence on the street acts as a deterrent to unwelcome behaviour.
They also help keep the city clean and tidy by reporting graffiti, lighting problems and property damage.
Public perception of the CitySafe patrol service to the city was assessed as being excellent in the 2009 Annual Residents Survey.
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Youth-at-risk
Council funds a project coordinator for a Police led youth-at-risk initiative, Project J, which was set-up to address issues of youth-at-risk and youth offending rates in the city at night. As well as coordinating the initiative the coordinator's role is to provide follow-up referral and support for identified youth-at-risk.
The initiative is supported by the Hamilton Youth Offending Team (YOT) which is a group of both government and non-government agencies from health, education, social and justice sectors who work together to improve the coordination and response to youth who are offending or at risk of offending.
When a young person offends they often come into contact with a number of different government agencies. The role of the Hamilton Youth Offending Team (YOT) is to ensure that all agencies are working together in the most effective way.
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Nightrider
Council supports the Nightrider late night bus service which runs in and out of the city until the early hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
Taxis struggle to keep up with demand between 2 and 4 am during the weekend so the Nightrider service fills the gap and allows people to get home quickly and safely.
The service is provided by Environment Waikato.
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Curbing Car Crime
Council is working with Police to reduce vehicle crime, which accounts for about 17% of the city's crime.
Car crime is usually opportunistic - the thief sees something lying in the car that they can sell so they break in, grab it and take off. If valuable items are left in parked cars the registered owner will be sent a letter reminding them to take valuables out of parked cars or lock them in the boot.
If They See It, They'll Steal It - Six Easy Steps:
- Lock all windows and doors
- Remove valuables and personal possessions
- Lock bulky items in the boot
- If you can, remove the stereo or at least the face plate
- Park in a secure or well lit location
- Use a steering wheel lock or have an engine immobiliser fitted
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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
CPTED is a crime prevention philosophy based on the proper design and effective use of the built environment leading to a reduction in incidence and fear of crime.
Council support the CPTED philosophy and adopted a CPTED Policy in 2005. An implementation strategy is currently under development to fulfil Council's intent that CPTED principles are understood and incorporated into all public and private development design in Hamilton City.
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Liquor Ban
Hamilton has had a Central City liquor ban in place since 2003, which was extended in 2005 to be in effect 24 hours, seven days a week. In December 2007 the bylaw was extended again to include the Te Rapa industrial area.
The 2010 Bylaw introduces a new Hamilton wide liquor ban in all other public places between the hours of 10pm and 6am. This is to address problems experienced in wider parts of Hamilton (not currently included in the liquor ban areas) associated with the negative effects of liquor consumption.
The Public Places Liquor Control Bylaw 2010 which comes into effect on the 1 September 2010 is designed to:
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Contact
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CitySafe
Ground Floor, Council Offices
Garden Place
Hamilton City Council
Private Bag 3010
Hamilton 3240
Phone: 838 5993
Fax: 838 6458
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