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Questioning a police officer is sometimes not a good idea. But at Monday’s meeting, local Sgt Brett Meale was peppered with many questions and his answers contributed to a hugely informative and practical overview of what is happening in our area crime-wise. The genial Seargeant came armed with statistics about the types of offending the Counties Manukau East police deal with on a daily basis. Family Harm incidents (average 410 per month) are four times more prevalent than burglary (102) or Car Conversion (102). Currently, number plates are a hot commodity. Mental Health related matters consume huge police resources, especially when officers in many cases cannot leave a disturbed person who requires treatment until health support workers arrive. It can take officers off the job for 5-6 hours at a time and it is hoped that the Health ministry can step up and relieve the police of work which diverts them from crime fighting. Brett showed the distribution of different types of crime throughout the Counties Manukau East area. Car conversion, for example, if especially rampant in the clogged residential streets of Flat Bush. On the other hand, Family Harm events are spread throughout the policing district. Last year 150,000 retail crimes were reported to police and Brett referenced a recent local case where offenders had stocked their vehicle with 3 trolley loads of goods totalling $16000. Of additional concern is that 2,400 workers were last year assaulted during that crime wave. On a brighter note, the homeless in our community do not often cause trouble. The force is currently facing pressure because of the number of recruits being seduced by better working conditions in Australia. Hence the importance of retaining long serving, experienced officers like Sergeant Brett Meale and supporting them in every endeavour to keep our community safe. Brett was introduced and thanked by Don Lawry. |
