Neighbourhood Support and Police Bulletin from Constable Raewyn McLachlan, Raglan Police.
Hi Everyone
Here is the latest bulletin. If you’re not already in a group in your street, but are interested in seeing what a NS group is all about, go to the NS website or contact Kathy (Raglan NS Area Co-ordinator) and she can give you information on what NS is all about. It’s not a bunch of busy bodies wanting to know your every move, it’s neighbours looking our for neighbours – the way it used to be.
It’s been relatively quiet on the Police front this last week. Yesterday there was a wallet stolen from an unlocked car that was at the Trust Hospital on Manukau Road.
On Tuesday the 23rd, between 9 and 11.30am chainsaw was stolen out of the back of an unattended ute which was parked on the corner of Ohautira and Ruakiwi Roads, Waingaro.
On Saturday the 20th at around 8.15pm, two males attempted to break into John Hart’s workshop at the jetty end of Bow Street. They were foiled in their attempt by a neighbour who heard them and scared them off.
As can be seen, opportunists are out there and nothing is sacred. With summer coming, our car windows are left down, our home windows and doors are left open for longer hours, and these opportunists are quick to pounce.
Police, along with Waikato District Council Liquor Licensing Inspector, and a Health Protection Advisor to the Waikato District Health Board attended an Alcohol Regulatory and Licencing Authority hearing yesterday at the Sunset Motel regarding the application by Venus NZ Ltd for an off-licence in order to sell alcohol from the proposed Bow Street Liquor Store. There had been around 70 written submissions made to the Council opposing the licence being granted prior to the hearing sitting yesterday. These written submissions must be given consideration by the Judge, but from what the Judge was saying, it seems that more weight is given to the objections if the objector appears at the hearing in person, and is willing to verbalise their opposition. This gives the applicant an opportunity to address any issues raised at the hearing.
There was only one objector appearing in person at the hearing yesterday. This person’s objections were voiced and acknowledged by the Judge. The Judge commented that after receiving so many written objections, he was surprised that there were not more objectors present at the hearing. The inference being that if so many people were opposed before, why weren’t they here at the hearing voicing their concerns in person.
I mention this only because I know that there are many people opposed to a second liquor store being opened in Raglan. Without appearing in person, I wonder how much credence the other 69-or-so written submissions will be given. Something to be considered when making liquor licensing objections in the future.
Enjoy the nice weather and longer daylight hours.