Napier trials night CCTV to tackle rising crime
Overnight monitoring will give police and the council real-time visibility of the city during hours when incidents are more likely to occur.
Councillor Sally Crown said they have had a clear signal from the community and local retailers that safety and crime after dark was a major concern.
In December 2024, Boy Taylor was found about 3.15am on Emerson St after being attacked.
Attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene. Four men aged 18, 19, 21 and 33 were later charged with murder.
Emerson St retailers have been the target of multiple burglaries, including three this year at Life Pharmacy within 10 weeks.
Thieves in two of the raids targeted men's fragrances.
Council said the new monitoring hours aim to strengthen collaboration with police and provide better tools for responding to night-time crime, particularly retail break-ins and antisocial behaviour.
Crown said it wasn't often that the council was able to be agile.
'There are lots of things that come at us from different angles where we want to be enabling, where we want to act.
'So I take my hat off to council officers for taking the approach that they have and looking to take a step in a different direction to test and see how effective it might be for our community,' Crown said.
Wise says this is another step forward in evolving the service to meet community needs.
'Safety in our city doesn't stop when the sun goes down. This is about using the resources we already have in smarter ways, trialling what works best, and setting Napier up for long-term solutions that reflect the needs of our people and our place.'
Napier Assist was launched in 2022 after a survey revealed 44% of the 597 people who took part felt the city was not a safe place to live.
Despite the foot patrol, crime has continued to rise.
The temporary change will involve the Napier Assist team adjusting their shifts to cover night-time monitoring, while continuing their daytime patrols in a reduced capacity.
The trial will run until June 30, 2026.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Too Quick And Too Easy, Consumer Falls Victim To Online Loan Scam
A suspected scam involving a fake online loan provider has come to light following a complaint lodged with the Consumer Council of Fiji, raising concerns about online deceptive financial schemes designed to defraud vulnerable consumers. In this case, the complainant was misled over a two-week period by an entity operating on social media, under the name Quick and Easy, which promised fast loan approval and immediate disbursement upon payment of certain fees. The complainant was presented with what appeared to be formal loan contracts and was assured that the loan had already been approved. However, the page claimed that various banking issues were preventing the funds from being released. To resolve these supposed issues, the consumer was instructed to make a series of payments labelled as processing fees and penalties. In total, the complainant paid $1,800. Despite complying with every instruction, the loan was never delivered, and when the complainant informed the provider that a formal complaint had been lodged, all communication ceased and the scammers phone has since remained switched off. The Council has referred this matter to the Fiji Police Force for further investigation. 'We are urging all consumers to exercise extreme caution when dealing with online lenders, or social media pages which promise loans and demand payments before any service is delivered,' said Ms. Shandil. 'The red flag was there from the beginning. Being asked to pay $1,800 just to secure a loan is not only highly suspicious, it's completely unacceptable. Which legitimate bank or licensed lender demands such a sum upfront before even disbursing funds? This clearly highlights the urgent need for improved digital and financial literacy among Fijian consumers.' 'Scammers exploit what people don't know, and we must collectively work to close that knowledge gap. No genuine financial institution operates this way, and consumers must know the warning signs before it's too late,' added Ms Shandil. She further stressed that while the Council can assist in mediating disputes and advocating for consumer rights, matters involving suspected online fraud fall outside its jurisdiction. 'In such cases, we work closely with law enforcement agencies and refer matters for criminal investigation. Consumers must know that if something feels wrong or rushed, it's worth slowing down and verifying first,' she added. Consumers who encounter similar schemes are encouraged to report the matter to the Council via email at complaints@ or by calling the toll-free number 155.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Fiji: Consumer Alert Issued On Rogue Traders With Repeat Complaints
Once again, the alarm is being sounded on unethical trading practices in the marketplace, this time spotlighting a company that has become notorious for misleading, ignoring, and frustrating Fijian consumers. Raj Roofing has, over a five-year period, become a symbol of what is wrong with repeat offending traders. Since 2020, the Council has received numerous complaints against Raj Roofing, and the complaints continue to persist to this day. What is particularly alarming is not just the volume of complaints, but the repeated nature of the issues raised, coupled with the trader's consistent refusal to take responsibility. Equally concerning is that Raj Roofing operates under numerous different aliases across social media platforms, which creates confusion for consumers trying to identify or contact the business. In addition to using various business names, they also maintain multiple social media accounts under slightly altered profiles. This deliberate tactic makes it difficult for customers to trace the business, verify its legitimacy, or hold it accountable when issues arise raising serious concerns about transparency and consumer protection. In a recent case received by the Council, a consumer reported paying Raj Roofing in full for the purchase of a water tank and a 200-litre drum. However, after receiving the payment, the company failed to deliver the items as promised. Attempts by the consumer to follow-up were met with silence and eventually, the trader blocked the complainant's number entirely, effectively cutting off all communication. Council CEO Seema Shandil says it is time to speak out against businesses that persistently exploit consumers. 'These businesses are not simply making errors, they are intentionally attempting to take money and disappear, disregarding legitimate consumer concerns and operating in ways that undermine trust. This is why we are issuing this advisory: - to protect consumers from further harm. Consumers are urged to be alert to red flags such as traders avoiding documentation, refusing receipts, or operating only through social media without a clear point of contact. Anyone who believes they've been misled or mistreated by these or other traders is encouraged to contact the Council by calling the toll-free National Consumer Helpline on 155 or emailing complaints@
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- NZ Herald
Napier trials night CCTV to tackle rising crime
It will be funded through the Parking Reserve Account, using existing staff, with no impact on rates. Overnight monitoring will give police and the council real-time visibility of the city during hours when incidents are more likely to occur. Councillor Sally Crown said they have had a clear signal from the community and local retailers that safety and crime after dark was a major concern. In December 2024, Boy Taylor was found about 3.15am on Emerson St after being attacked. Attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he died at the scene. Four men aged 18, 19, 21 and 33 were later charged with murder. Emerson St retailers have been the target of multiple burglaries, including three this year at Life Pharmacy within 10 weeks. Thieves in two of the raids targeted men's fragrances. Council said the new monitoring hours aim to strengthen collaboration with police and provide better tools for responding to night-time crime, particularly retail break-ins and antisocial behaviour. Crown said it wasn't often that the council was able to be agile. 'There are lots of things that come at us from different angles where we want to be enabling, where we want to act. 'So I take my hat off to council officers for taking the approach that they have and looking to take a step in a different direction to test and see how effective it might be for our community,' Crown said. Wise says this is another step forward in evolving the service to meet community needs. 'Safety in our city doesn't stop when the sun goes down. This is about using the resources we already have in smarter ways, trialling what works best, and setting Napier up for long-term solutions that reflect the needs of our people and our place.' Napier Assist was launched in 2022 after a survey revealed 44% of the 597 people who took part felt the city was not a safe place to live. Despite the foot patrol, crime has continued to rise. The temporary change will involve the Napier Assist team adjusting their shifts to cover night-time monitoring, while continuing their daytime patrols in a reduced capacity. The trial will run until June 30, 2026. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
