Council Awarded For Innovation in Community Safety Programmes

The Waitaki District Council recently received national recognition for their work in Community Safety. The project titled “Our Community, Our Responsibility” involved many initiatives that Waitaki residents will already be familiar.



“Our Community, Our Responsibility” included the highly successful Waitaki Guardians, Graffiti Prevention, Traffic Safety, initiative to reduce Alcohol related harm, Youth project and involvement with the Community Gardens project.



Chief Executive Michael Ross said “It‟s great to have the efforts of our staff and our community recognised at a national level”.



The commendation awarded was at the Local Government Managers‟ national conference that was held in Queenstown on 5-7 September. Mr Ross and Community Safety Officer Alison Banks also made a presentation to other Council Senior Managers outlining the work that Council has done for Community Safety in Waitaki.



Ms Banks said that “these efforts would be nothing without the support of the community” adding “while awards are great it‟s the results that really matter”. These results are highlighted in the Waitaki Crime Report, presented to Council in June 2009. The Waitaki Crime Report showed a 19% decline in crime and a 66% resolution rate. Youth crime had also fallen 24% and the Waitaki Business District perception of crime survey highlighted that the Waitaki Guardians are the most effective crime deterrent on the streets.