Latest news with #EnereMcLaren-Taana
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
'Significant' bus hub disorder included BB gun
Security guards recorded an average of one "significant" incident every 10 days after taking over at Dunedin's bus hub in the wake of last year's fatal stabbing, official information shows. However, police said the busy city centre transport link was safer now than it used to be. A multi-agency group formed in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana in May last year — chaired by Otago coastal prevention manager Inspector Sam Ramsay — "finalised a delivery roadmap" for change in February. Insp Ramsay said keys to that roadmap included initiatives to "transform the bus hub environment and operations" and enhance security and patrolling. The quality of security patrols at the Great King St bus hub was dragged into the spotlight in the wake of the fatal stabbing. Before being replaced by First Security, the previous firm, Allied Security, reported guards patrolling the bus hub were spat on, kicked and harassed after the incident. Now, First Security weekly incident reports released by the Otago Regional Council under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act show antisocial behaviour persists — including intoxication and smoking and vaping in smoke free zones. But those types of incidents vastly outnumbered the "aggressive behaviour" observed by patrols. Among the incidents detailed in the report was a "young lady" on February 27 observed with what was at first thought to be a gun, but was later identified as a BB gun. The "young lady" reportedly "slipped it under her leg", but it was "clear it was not a phone", the incident report said. Police were advised and asked the security guards to keep an eye on her while they arranged backup. The BB gun was discharged "several times in a non-threatening direction, off to one side and towards a small wall", the report said. Seven police officers attended and took control of the BB gun, resulting in "little impact on the general public". The reports do not indicate which incidents are categorised as significant, but identified 13 such incidents from November 14 to April 6 (the period covered by the official information provided), The reports showed 11 times over that period those incidents were reported to police, but police were only called six times this year. December led the way with police assistance required four times. Police came under the spotlight after the fatal stabbing, in part because the teenager was stabbed about 50m from the Dunedin central police station. Now, when asked if the bus hub was safer than at the time of the stabbing, Insp Ramsay referenced the multi-agency Central City Safety Advisory group and said "police have been working with our partners to make the bus hub safer". He said, in February, the group finalised its roadmap that "prioritised and planned" short, medium and long-term actions to improve safety in and around the bus hub area while also considering the wider context of safety in the city. Four key areas were identified during the workshop which would form the basis of initiatives hoped to have an impact. "They are: cultivate positive values and culture; transform the bus hub environment and operations; enhance safety, security and patrolling; empower youth through reporting and education." He said police now had a sergeant and four fulltime constables undertaking foot patrols on early and late shifts. At times, that number increased as part of probationary training or induction. "We deploy the teams based on evidence and demand, and they could cover any area of Dunedin."
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Antisocial behaviour still persisting at hub
Security guards recorded an average of one "significant" incident every 10 days after taking over at Dunedin's bus hub in the wake of last year's fatal stabbing, official information shows. However, police said the busy city centre transport link was safer now than it used to be. A multi-agency group formed in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana in May last year — chaired by Otago coastal prevention manager Inspector Sam Ramsay — "finalised a delivery roadmap" for change in February. Insp Ramsay said keys to that roadmap included initiatives to "transform the bus hub environment and operations" and enhance security and patrolling. The quality of security patrols at the Great King St bus hub was dragged into the spotlight in the wake of the fatal stabbing. Before being replaced by First Security, the previous firm, Allied Security, reported guards patrolling the bus hub were spat on, kicked and harassed after the incident. Now, First Security weekly incident reports released by the Otago Regional Council under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act show antisocial behaviour persists — including intoxication and smoking and vaping in smoke free zones. But those types of incidents vastly outnumbered the "aggressive behaviour" observed by patrols. Among the incidents detailed in the report was a "young lady" on February 27 observed with what was at first thought to be a gun, but was later identified as a BB gun. The "young lady" reportedly "slipped it under her leg", but it was "clear it was not a phone", the incident report said. Police were advised and asked the security guards to keep an eye on her while they arranged backup. The BB gun was discharged "several times in a non-threatening direction, off to one side and towards a small wall", the report said. Seven police officers attended and took control of the BB gun, resulting in "little impact on the general public". The reports do not indicate which incidents are categorised as significant, but identified 13 such incidents from November 14 to April 6 (the period covered by the official information provided), The reports showed 11 times over that period those incidents were reported to police, but police were only called six times this year. December led the way with police assistance required four times. Police came under the spotlight after the fatal stabbing, in part because the teenager was stabbed about 50m from the Dunedin central police station. Now, when asked if the bus hub was safer than at the time of the stabbing, Insp Ramsay referenced the multi-agency Central City Safety Advisory group and said "police have been working with our partners to make the bus hub safer". He said, in February, the group finalised its roadmap that "prioritised and planned" short, medium and long-term actions to improve safety in and around the bus hub area while also considering the wider context of safety in the city. Four key areas were identified during the workshop which would form the basis of initiatives hoped to have an impact. "They are: cultivate positive values and culture; transform the bus hub environment and operations; enhance safety, security and patrolling; empower youth through reporting and education." He said police now had a sergeant and four fulltime constables undertaking foot patrols on early and late shifts. At times, that number increased as part of probationary training or induction. "We deploy the teams based on evidence and demand, and they could cover any area of Dunedin."
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Bus hub: Focus on central city safety
Preventing crime at Dunedin's bus hub could hinge on ensuring threats are responded to rapidly, deploying prominent patrols and adjusting the area's design, a report suggests. Stronger accountability and ensuring collaboration across agencies delivers results also shape as priorities for improving safety in the central city. A review of safety plans from cities in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom is set to be discussed by the Otago Regional Council on Thursday. Options were not presented, but the material "will be used to assist with actions going forward", a report said. The bus hub in Great King St was the scene of a fatal stabbing last year of 16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana. A survey of 1300 Dunedin secondary school students subsequently found 45% did not feel safe in the inner city and harassment of girls was rife. A multi-agency advisory group was established after the stabbing and, this year, the regional council - a leading partner in the group - commissioned the safety review by Collective Strategy. "Its purpose is to identify effective strategies and practical insights that can be applied to enhance safety in Dunedin's central city, particularly around the Dunedin bus hub, a known hotspot for youth-related safety concerns," its executive summary said. Victimisation data from last year obtained from police showed the area around the bus hub and parts of the Octagon had a higher concentration of reported crime. The highest number of offences occurred early on Sunday mornings and after-school hours on weekdays. Creation of flexible, rapid response safety teams was explored in the review. "A co-ordinated and well-defined safety response process that is supported by a reliable and monitored CCTV network is required to ensure these services are well utilised and have the maximum positive impact on safety," the report said. In Dunedin, security services were employed around the bus hub and police had established a beat team to increase foot patrols in the city centre. The review noted a shift towards a culture of prevention was evident in many community safety plans. "Cultural inclusion, social connections, and increasing the prominence and visibility of safety measures are effective measures that cities are implementing to prevent and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. "By understanding and applying the principles of te Tiriti and building greater awareness of mana whenua connections to the land, we can increase positive interactions in communities and promote shared values of inclusion and respect." Partnership models were discussed in the review. "Regular engagement and communication between a wide range of other agencies was seen as critical to every safety team interviewed. "Having a more focused short-term set of actions is effective when working with a partnership model, as partners have greater clarity about what's required and what they're working towards." Leadership and strong governance were considered vital. "Some teams found that without a senior leader owning the work, there wasn't the necessary authority to make decisions and escalate issues if enough progress wasn't made. "It was common for plans to linger in the realm of 'lots of talking and not much doing' if this leadership wasn't present." In Dunedin, the central city advisory group meets monthly.
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Focus on central city safety: Bus hub crime review ready
Preventing crime at Dunedin's bus hub could hinge on ensuring threats are responded to rapidly, deploying prominent patrols and adjusting the area's design, a report suggests. Stronger accountability and ensuring collaboration across agencies delivers results also shape as priorities for improving safety in the central city. A review of safety plans from cities in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom is set to be discussed by the Otago Regional Council on Thursday. Options were not presented, but the material "will be used to assist with actions going forward", a report said. The bus hub in Great King St was the scene of a fatal stabbing last year of 16-year-old Enere McLaren-Taana. A survey of 1300 Dunedin secondary school students subsequently found 45% did not feel safe in the inner city and harassment of girls was rife. A multi-agency advisory group was established after the stabbing and, this year, the regional council — a leading partner in the group — commissioned the safety review by Collective Strategy. "Its purpose is to identify effective strategies and practical insights that can be applied to enhance safety in Dunedin's central city, particularly around the Dunedin bus hub, a known hotspot for youth-related safety concerns," its executive summary said. Victimisation data from last year obtained from police showed the area around the bus hub and parts of the Octagon had a higher concentration of reported crime. The highest number of offences occurred early on Sunday mornings and after-school hours on weekdays. Creation of flexible, rapid response safety teams was explored in the review. "A co-ordinated and well-defined safety response process that is supported by a reliable and monitored CCTV network is required to ensure these services are well utilised and have the maximum positive impact on safety," the report said. In Dunedin, security services were employed around the bus hub and police had established a beat team to increase foot patrols in the city centre. The review noted a shift towards a culture of prevention was evident in many community safety plans. "Cultural inclusion, social connections, and increasing the prominence and visibility of safety measures are effective measures that cities are implementing to prevent and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. "By understanding and applying the principles of te Tiriti and building greater awareness of mana whenua connections to the land, we can increase positive interactions in communities and promote shared values of inclusion and respect." Partnership models were discussed in the review. "Regular engagement and communication between a wide range of other agencies was seen as critical to every safety team interviewed. "Having a more focused short-term set of actions is effective when working with a partnership model, as partners have greater clarity about what's required and what they're working towards." Leadership and strong governance were considered vital. "Some teams found that without a senior leader owning the work, there wasn't the necessary authority to make decisions and escalate issues if enough progress wasn't made. "It was common for plans to linger in the realm of 'lots of talking and not much doing' if this leadership wasn't present." In Dunedin, the central city advisory group meets monthly.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Plaque laid in memory of student
The plaque in memory of Enere McLaren-Taana at Trinity Catholic College. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH A Dunedin secondary school has honoured a former student with a memorial plaque a year after he was tragically killed in a stabbing at the bus hub. Trinity Catholic College hosted a liturgy led by college chaplain Fr Vaughan Hook for Enere McLaren-Taana on Thursday. Staff and students were joined by Enere's family and his peers from his former school, King's High School. Trinity principal Kate Nicholson said about 100 people took part in a time of reflection remembering Enere's life. "It has been such a hard year for Enere's whānau and those who cared for him, and the grief is still very real. "Providing this opportunity to bring everyone together to share this anniversary was truly a privilege to be part of." A plaque was unveiled and blessed followed by haka by Trinity and King's students. Ms Nicholson said the liturgy concluded with Trinity students singing I say to you with love in tribute to Enere — the same song that was sung at Otago Polyfest for him last year. The 14-year-old found guilty of manslaughter after the fatal stabbing will be sentenced in July.
