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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 2002 32% of residents felt unsafe or very unsafe in the central city after dark
- In 2005 only 9.6% of residents felt unsafe or very unsafe in the central city after dark
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CitySafe initiatives
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Crime prevention cameras
Council owns and operates 16 closed circuit television (CCTV) placed strategically around the CBD. The cameras are actively monitored, between 6pm and 5am seven days a week, by contracted 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
Six officers patrol the CBD on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights between 5pm and 5am. The CitySafe patrol team 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 2005 Annual Residents Survey. Council contracts Waikato Security Services to provide the service.
CitySafe patrol teams wear grey/black and white with a distinctive green accent on hats and jackets.
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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 Control Bylaw
A central city liquor control bylaw was first introduced in 2003, this was extended in 2005 to be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In December 2007 the bylaw was extended again to include the Te Rapa industrial area and to allow Council to add, amend or delete liquor ban areas.
The bylaw prohibits the consumption and possession of open alcohol in public places (including vehicles) in the CBD and the Te Rapa industrial area. The extension of the bylaw to include Te Rapa gives the Police the ability to search vehicles or seize alcohol as needed. It aslo enables the Police to request people to move out of the liquor ban area, or arrest those who are breaching the liquor ban.
The bylaw was designed as a CitySafe initiative to:
- Reduce alcohol-related harm, crime and disorder
- Provide a safe city environment
- Liquor Control Bylaw
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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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