Close to 100 people packed out a community meeting in Seatoun on Tuesday night to raise their concerns about crime on Wellington's Miramar peninsula. Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue
Residents from Wellington's Miramar peninsula are pushing for more neighbourhood security, after the death of a local man.
Abdulhassan Nabizadah was found fatally injured on a local street on the same night an intruder broke into a family home. Police have launched a homicide investigation.
Close to 100 people packed out a community meeting on Tuesday night to raise their concerns, but were told their suburbs were not a hotspot for crime.
According to some residents, the incident was the latest in a trend of increasing and escalating crime, which was "totally unnerving".
Louise, who wanted to be known by her first name only, said the home invasion "was next level" for the community but residents were constantly putting up with boy racers, vandalism and prowlers.
Another Miramar resident, who didn't want to be named, said something needed to be done about the almost daily reports on a community Facebook page of theft and break-ins in the area.
"The crimes are just starting to escalate. That's why I think we need some sort of innovative solution, because what we're doing at the moment isn't working."
Sergeant Mike Byrne said despite a recent spike in reports of burglary in the area, some crimes were going down. Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue
Sergeant Mike Byrne from the local community policing team said he understood the recent high profile crimes had people worried, but data showed reports of petty crime had gone down over the past six months.
"Alarmingly, we have had quite a few extra reports of burglary," he said, however he stressed the definition was broad, and the recent violence was rare.
Byrne said with only four officers dedicated to the area, keeping crime at bay with patrols wasn't always possible, but reassured the meeting that police would be there in an emergency.
"There's no doubt that police resourcing is under significant pressure ... our team, we've got a lot of demands on us.
"But I still feel confident that if you phone 111 about something that is happening at your house you will get a good police response."
Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue
Locals also heard from Wellington City Council officials, with safety advisor Joel Berryman explaining that police data informed resourcing for security measures such as lighting and CCTV cameras, with a single camera costing up to $25,000.
"One thing we do know, is that to see and be seen is almost the core principle of safety and a lot of crime is opportunistic."
However, the police data did not indicate Miramar was a top priority for more spending, he said.
Despite that message, residents have resolved to have another meeting soon, with some keen to keep pushing for tighter security.
