Avonhead residents still want booze ban
Residents living near Crosbie Park in Avonhead are disappointed by a city council report recommending against imposing a liquor ban in the area.
Neighbours plagued by antisocial behaviour in the park complained to the Fendalton-Waimairi Community Board in May urging a liquor ban be imposed. A deputation from the Avonhead No.1 Neighbourhood Support Group detailed incidents of assaults, vandalism and disorderly behaviour by young people drinking in the park at night.
Board members approved the use of covert surveillance cameras and a device that emits an annoying noise to deter young people from gathering in an area, but called for a staff report on whether a liquor ban was appropriate and further advice from police. A report prepared for tomorrow's community board meeting outlines several security issues at the park, but stops short of recommending a liquor ban.
The Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) report says the "key focus" of assessment visits to the park during the day and night was "the misuse of alcohol by youth and other unwanted/illegal activities by youth".
A city council report has recommended against imposing a liquor ban in Crosbie Park.
However, it says "none of this type of activity" was observed during the four site visits "and evidence of youth drinking was confined to five or six empty containers".
"On the basis of this limited evidence, it is not possible to recommend that an alcohol ban be put in place in Crosbie Park."
The report recommended the park be assessed again in summer when activity levels were expected to be higher.
Local residents are "strongly encouraged" to report all incidents of vandalism, including graffiti "to create a more complete record of their concerns" and to report all disturbing incidents and illegal activity to the police.
Avonhead No.1 Neighbourhood Support Group co-ordinator Amanda Tomlinson, told the community board in May that park neighbours were living in fear, with playground equipment, toilets, plants and properties "constantly being trashed.
After reading the CPTED report, she said residents would be disappointed a liquor ban had been turned down.
"But we're pleased the council will revisit the issue in the warmer months."
HAVE YOUR SAY
What do you think about the council's decision to recommend against imposing a liquor ban in Crosbie Park? Send your thoughts, in 150 words or less, to cullen.smith@starcanterbury.co.nz. Include your full name and suburb.
