Safety on our streets and in our homes
We work closely with Police and communities in response to the need to make the city a safer place. We have several initiatives to keep people safe in our city.
Walkwise
Walkwise officers patrol streets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the CBD and in Petone. They:
- Look out for people’s safety when they go to their cars or catch public transport home
- Make people feel more comfortable when they are out at night
- Look out for criminal activity and report it to the Police for action
- Provide a presence on the streets that prevents crime
- Report any damage to property to council
CCTV (closed circuit television)
What is CCTV?
In Hutt City, there are 20 CCTV cameras that are operated by Police and maintained by council.
In the CBD there are:
- Three cameras in Bunny Street
- Five in High St
- One in Andrews Ave
- Three on the Riverbank car park stop bank
Outside the CBD there are:
- Four cameras in Hillary Court in Naenae
- Four cameras around Scott Court in Stokes Valley
Under the umbrella of Hutt City Safe City Group Inc we are involved with the trust to support various voluntary organisations that help make our city a safe place.
These include:
CCTV volunteers
CCTV volunteers monitor the CCTV cameras in Lower Hutt Police station.
Community patrols
Community patrols are currently operating in Wainuiomata, Naenae, Taita, Eastbourne, Petone and Stokes Valley. The members voluntarily give their time to help the Police make the community safer. We help patrols by lending cars and giving financial support.
Neighbourhood Support
Neighbourhood Support aims to make homes and street safer by creating neighbourhood support groups throughout the city. We support the programme by funding the co-ordinator. You can find out more about the programme on the neighbourhood support website or from Hutt City Safe Group Inc. There is also a Junior Neighbourhood Support programme which is run out of schools.
Crime prevention through environmental design
'Crime prevention through environmental design’ (CPTED) is based upon the principle that the environment can affect both the level of crime and the fear of crime in an area. Good design can minimise the risk of crime in an area. We support positive CPTED input to new development as well as positive CPTED changes to existing public places.
Alcohol management
We work with Police, Regional Public Health, ACC, Upper Hutt City Council, ALAC, the Fire Service and the Hospitality Association to manage public consumption of alcohol. This involves creating and policing liquor ban areas, event management, dealing with enforcement and licensing issues, alcohol accords and education activities.
Our Safe Public Places action plan
Safer Public places Action plan is the safe city (crime prevention) programme for Lower Hutt. This plan is part of the Safe Hutt Valley Project.
Safe Hutt Valley is made up of representatives from the Police, Hutt City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, ACC, Regional Public Health and the District Health Board.
It was formed late in 2008 and gained Hutt Valley accreditation as a safe community from the World Health Association in 2010. A Safe Hutt Valley strategy was developed in 2011 and work streams of Injury Prevention, Crime and Crash Prevention and Alcohol Harm Minimisation were established. Suicide Prevention was also added as a separate work stream in 2011 to address this important issue in the community. Funding was secured for a co-ordinator to be appointed to oversee the Safe Hutt Valley work. This position will be filled early 2012.