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This is our homeThe Aucklander, 8 March 2010
The residents behind these leaflets say crime has increased since people moved into the new Housing NZ development near the park, and they blame these new residents for the graffiti and teenage brawls. But the newcomers who live in the development say it's nothing to do with them. Billy, who moved into the complex in September, says the problems in the park were there long before the Housing NZ buildings went up. "Everyone is saying that this place is the Massey ghetto. We have this stigma to live with, and all we are trying to do is make this a good community for us to live in," he protests, saying that most weekends he and other residents break up fights in the park and have to put up with vandals tagging their buildings. He says his street, Patience Way, offers direct access to the park, which is why people point fingers at its residents. "Last Friday night, there were about 30 teenagers fighting, and some of them had baseball bats. "When the police can't get here, we are the ones that are trying to sort it out." Billy says only four teenagers live in their apartments, and they are not involved with the disturbances in the park. Joanne, another resident, who moved in last July, says the look of the apartments doesn't help. "People drive past here and they see a prison, but this is our home. "We want this to be a safe place for the kids that live here, and the biggest challenge is changing people's perception of this place." She says the residents put up with teenagers running around their buildings and vandalising them. "They don't even live here, and they throw things at our homes. People need to stop blaming us for the problems, and everybody needs to come together to find a solution." The neighbours have set up a Neighbourhood Support group, and are looking for positive things for children in the area to do. "We want to start up some hip-hop classes, and we are going to apply for funding," says Joanne. Billy is also working with Waitakere City Council to see if a skate park can be built. "We need the kids to take ownership of their park." But the residents say they cannot do this alone. "Some of the kids that are in the park until 6am are 12 and 13," says Joanne. "It's hurtful to see that. We want to know where their parents are, and we need help to make this a safer place." Massey police sergeant Jason Clarke supports the residents' position. "Ninety nine per cent of the time, the problems in the park have nothing to do with these residents," he says. "It is good that these people are being active and trying to help, rather than just talking about it." Do you know the number of your local police station?
Source: http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/have-your-say/news/this-is-our-home/3910970/ |
