Police kiosk provocative, claim youth workers

Press, 17 June 1986, Page 9

Police kiosk provocative, claim youth workers

As work begins on the police kiosk planned for Cathedral Square, opposition to it is growing. The former Bishop of Christchurch, Bishop Allan Pyatt, has already criticised the priority given the police presence. Last evening the City Council received a letter from youth and community workers in Christchurch endorsing Bishop* Pyatt’s comment. "We believe the Square is meant to be a focal meeting place where people should feel free and comfortable, however a constant police presence will be a dominating influence detracting from this,” they said. Youth and community workers had defused many situations in the Square. They believed a police kiosk would only aggravate the situation, increasing the potential for violence.

“The policeman on the beat, we feel, is a less

threatening way of dealing with violence,” they said. They called for a return to community policing. The Square problem was a youth issue, not a law and order one, because offenders, and victims, were young.

The workers lamented the public support for a building for the police when existing youth groups were not adequately supported. They also noted concern about the volunteers to man the kiosk, fc their training and their being placed in a “potentially provoking” situation. Cr Noala Massey told last evening’s council meeting that discussions with the police had decided on one adult volunteer to assist duty police in the kiosk. The council will cooperate with the police in the selection and training of volunteers.

Future staffing was de-

pendent on numbers of trained volunteers. People selected would be compatible with police service and staff.

Young people could be used alongside the adult volunteer at appropriate times.

The volunteer would be in radio contact with foot patrols. Anyone apprehended in the Square would be taken to the Central Police Station, not the kiosk.

The kiosk will probably be designated “Community Police.” A community police officer may be appointed to the area. Initially the kiosk will open from 8 a.m. to midnight, and later on Saturdays. This may be extended to a 7 a.m. opening. The use of the kiosk will be reviewed after a trial. The council will continue liaison with the police. The kiosk, to cost $56,646, will be built by Armitage Williams Con-

struction, Ltd. Included in the price is $3OOO of discounts as the company’s contribution. The kiosk will be in place by mid-August. The initial work will be done off-site. .j. •>

The money to pay for the kiosk has come from the radio appeal, $43,000; a second $5OOO from the Government and $lOOO from the Christchurch Press Company; and goods and services of $8646. The extra $lOOO above the cost will be offset against the council’s design and supervision costs Of $4300.

The radio station which ran the appeal, Radio Avon, will contribute to the furnishings. Further donations are being sought in cash and goods. The building’s site will be moved further from the wall that runs along the edge of the Square to prevent people climbing from the wall to the kiosk roof.