Tuesday, August 04, 2009
A collaborative effort by Hutt City Council, Lower Hutt police and local schools is set to curb anti-social behaviour on school grounds.
The Crime Free Schools project makes police agents of the school board and gives them authority to trespass anyone not acting in the best interest of the school community.
“After speaking with police and school staff we became aware we needed to work on ensuring school grounds remain a safe learning environment for our children,” says Hutt City Council CEO Tony Stallinger.
“We’ve co-ordinated meetings between school principals, boards of trustees and police which have laid the foundation for further discussion about school safety and the security of our greatest asset – our children.”
“This project is a great example of Hutt City Council, police and local school communities working together.”
Hutt City Council has provided signs for schools to inform visitors of the change with financial support from the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) and Regional Public Health.
The Crime Free School’s project targets unauthorised drinking on school grounds, the prevention of vandalism, littering, drugs and graffiti – all things which jeopardise schools’ safety and generate a financial cost for school management.
48 out of 56 local schools have signed dup to the initiative.
For further information, contact safe city officer Adrian Peoples at 570 6718 or 027 229 5914.