Crimeline
Late night community patrollers needed
Police and the Queenstown Community Patrol are calling for more volunteers to help in their bid to beat and deter crime locally.
Community Patrol chairperson Gary Lonsdale says they need more willing souls to take to the Queenstown downtown area with the patrol on Friday and Saturday nights between 8pm and midnight as the busy ski season approaches. “We currently have 12, but need at least another 10 volunteers, any adult age,” Lonsdale says. “Whatever time they can give, even one night a month, as we currently have some volunteers doing two shifts.”
Although late night assaults and disorder are just the norm in downtown Queenstown, the patrol has noticed what seems to be a lot more younger males out late at night, possibly visitors. There’s the usual alcohol-fuelled aggression. “I think there’s a lot of male testosterone around and what’s even worse are the number of inappropriately dressed, young females, apparently as young as 13, wandering around in these cold conditions, many affected by alcohol,” he says. “We obviously get the odd female who’s had too much to drink so we help to keep them safe and call Police if necessary.” He says it’s happening more frequently. “We sometimes see these groups of young men hanging around looking for lost disoriented girls. Be aware of the predators out there,” he says. “Parents should be sure they know where their kids are and who they’re with.” In worst case scenarios young heavily intoxicated women are sometimes flaked out in a gutter, also inappropriately dressed for the cold temperatures, so with winter upon us we usually pick them up and get a blanket around them while Police or St John Ambulance arrive,” Lonsdale says. “We are only the ears and eyes for the Police and while there’s a nice community family vibe earlier in the evening, those out drinking should know how to keep themselves safe,” he says. Volunteers are all Police vetted and don’t intervene, just report what they’re seeing to the officers on duty who respond.
To help: Email – qncp@gmail.com
Volunteers needed to staff Arrowtown Police Station
Police are also looking for more enthusiastic community volunteers to help staff the Arrowtown Police Station during its weekday opening hours of 10am until 4pm. Queenstown Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says the volunteers, of all ages but often retired people, are required for morning or afternoon shifts. “They help support Police by providing general advice to the public, guiding them through issues they may have, advising people how to make a complaint that may require further investigation by Police staff and managing lost and found property,” she says. Training is provided and each volunteer is required for one 3-hour shift every fortnight. “We’re short at present and need more willing volunteers to fill the gaps.”
To help: Email - asdx25@police.govt.nz
Late night vandalism
Meanwhile, Police want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed, or have information relating to, damage of a parked vehicle in Park Street sometime from 10.30pm onwards on 19 May. Both wing mirrors were broken, and dents caused to the vehicle, Shute says. The owner of the vehicle returned in the morning to find the damage. “Two suspects have been nominated by the victim after a pair of white sunglasses was spotted nearby. A person with white sunglasses had been seen in the area as the victim left the vehicle.” Those nominated are described as possibly French, one around 180cm tall, in his late 20s with dark blonde hair, wearing a beanie. He had white sunglasses on him. The other was also believed to be French, around 175cm tall, with short brown hair, and in his late 20s. If you witnessed the damage being caused or have any information to help Police identify these two, please contact Queenstown Police.
Downtown assault
A 36-year-old Queenstown man has been charged with common assault after he allegedly approached his victim on Ballarat Street at 9.38pm on 18 May and began a verbal argument, Shute says. “The argument then turned physical with the victim allegedly being pushed, his hair grabbed and then struck in the back of the head twice.” He didn’t require medical attention.
Drink driving
A 29-year-old male visitor was stopped by Police on Coronation Drive, Queenstown, at 12.30am on 18 May, and breath tested. He returned a result of 659mcgs. The man was suspended from driving for 28 days and appeared in the Queenstown District Court on 21 May where he was convicted and sentenced to six months disqualification and given a $650 fine, Shute says.
