Otahuhu locals share ideas for safer community

Otahuhu locals say better controls on youth could help address the level of violence in the neighbourhood.

A Newshub report last week showed Otahuhu currently ranks eighth in the top 10 violent city hot spots in New Zealand.

Using data from Statistics New Zealand the story revealed the areas with the highest number of public place violence, from rape crimes to assaults and robberies.

With 148 cases of public place violence, Otahuhu was declared South Auckland’s most dangerous suburb, beating Papatoetoe’s 109 confirmed cases.

In the wake of the report, Te Waha Nui asked Otahuhu locals what they thought should be done to make their community safer.

University student Mika Tautau said he believed young people require more support to address the issue.

“I think we need to start with targeting the youth, we need things in place for them that’ll actually engage them, something different.”

Fellow Otahuhu resident Lena Pua agreed. “Parents need to find a way to stop their kids from doing what they are doing.”

Mrs Pua said the “dangerous” and “stupid” things young kids do are making the community unsafe.

Otahuhu Police Sergeant Matthew Child also thought that placing a focus on young members of the neighbourhood through council-organised events could improve safety.

“There should be a whole community approach involving a lot of younger people who are up and coming criminals,” said Sergeant Child.

He also believed the availability of alcohol in the area needed to be looked at.

“We could look at limiting the amount of liquor stores in our area.”

Despite the statistics, Sergeant Child had some optimism in regards to the issue.

“General members of the public are really nice and really good to deal with,” he said. “It’s just a select few that ruin it for everyone.”

Watch below to see what two Otahuhu locals had to say about the issue. Video: Shaquille Muavae