The message is clear from local dairy owners - they want action, following the death of dairy worker Janak Patel in Auckland last Wednesday.
Dairies across Nelson closed their doors on Monday for two hours as a mark of respect and protest at government inaction, following the alleged murder of Janak.
“We wanted to pass on to the Government they need to do something,” says Pritesh Mandaliya, who owns On the Spot at Victory with his wife Palak.
It appears that message has already been heard, with the Government on Monday announcing new measures to combat retail crime. This includes a fog cannon subsidy scheme open to all small shops and dairies in New Zealand.
“We need action. It’s scary and frustrating at the same time,” Pritesh says. “The criminals need to be caught and appropriate legal action taken rather than just a slap on the hand.”
Janak was fatally stabbed while working in an Auckland dairy while the owners were overseas.
Police have arrested three people in connection to the robbery, one has been charged with murder.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced new measures including a $4000 subsidy to assist small retailers with the installation of fog canons.
“We don’t want to wait for small businesses who feel vulnerable to have a crime committed before they can install what is one of the best preventative measures we have,” she said.
However, supply of fog canons may be an issue with global demand for the security measure increasing. Ardern said police have ordered 455 fog canons which are expected to arrive before Christmas.
Owners of Haven Road Dairy, Dharm and Dipti Patel have noticed a change in crime during the past 16 years.
“Running a small business is insecure and it’s getting worse,” Dharm says. “Shoplifting increased the moment cigarette prices went up and you can’t predict what will happen.”
Dharm, who already has security cameras and a fog cannon, thinks it helps to make criminals think twice. However, he feels the self-defense laws also need to be updated. .
Owner of Roto Street Dairy in Tāhunanui, Chanty Pich thinks there is a need for harsher penalties for criminals.
She says she feels somewhat safer with a Covid-19 screen as a barrier after her business was targeted by an attempted robbery in 2017, she says.
“It’s sad we are not allowed to use self-protection.”
But Ardern says advice from police is that arming shop owners does not make people safer.
Minister of Police, Chris Hipkins, says there is very clear evidence that fog canons are a good option to deter offenders.
“Where shop owners are put in a position where they have to defend themselves, where they are more actively engaged with potential offenders, they’re actually putting themselves and potentially other customers at greater risk.”
In Victory Square, Pritesh says he checks his cameras regularly. He has security measures in place to protect their staff including alarms and panic buttons, but these are not a bulletproof plan if someone has a gun.
“This is a community store; we can’t have bodyguards outside and we don’t want to put bars up around the counter. It is stressful running a business, and it is more stressful having to check on safety and security all of the time.” Pritesh says.
At Stoke Discounter Jinal and Ankit Patel reluctantly turned customers away as part of the stand against violence on Monday.
“We used to manage a shop in the far north, which was robbed every week, but here in Nelson we feel safe.” However, they think the Government is “too soft”.
