Business Chief Seeks Answers to Crime Wave
Written by John Freer on November 27, 2022
By John Freer
Increased crime across the Coromandel Peninsula is now on the agenda of the Thames Business Association.
With a forum being held this week involving both local police and the Thames Coromandel District Council, TBA chief executive Sue O’Halloran agrees that some organisation must take the lead in finding solutions to the growing problem.
Last week it was reported that during the past 12 months there had been a 26 percent increase in property crime across the region – this was ahead of the national average of 19 percent.
O’Halloran described the statistic “as pretty concerning” saying the aim of the TBA was to help businesses to thrive and that did encompass helping youths, so they were not damaging businesses.
She said a year ago TBA ran a crime survey and had the biggest response of all the surveys they ran.
“People asked what we are going to do to mitigate crime.”
She said the association had taken a lead and was already in regular communication with local police on ways in which youth could be directed away from crime.
“We need to get youth into training, providing apprenticeships and jobs so they have meaningful lives,” said O’Halloran also saying the issue was societal.
Besides the forum she advocated getting all social agencies together.
“I think we have to get all the local social agencies to sit in a room together and take off their hats and see how we can help young people in our community to want to stay here and have meaningful lives.”
This week’s forum is for TBA members and business operators or owners. Check our the TBA website for details.
