Council heard at public forum last week a presentation from Nelson Provincial Museum staff and retailers about anti-social, threatening and disruptive behaviour in the central city from people sleeping rough.
The problems detailed around the Hardy Street-Trafalgar Street intersection included people urinating in the street, abusing the public, threatening staff, openly selling illegal drugs and blowing cannabis smoke over school children visiting the museum. We were told the level of aggression associated with this offending had become unprecedented.
I worry this increased aggression is connected to increased meth use in the city with Nelson’s wastewater testing data showing a sharp increase in the use of the drug.
These issues of lawlessness in Nelson are minor compared with other cities. It got way out of control in Rotorua and Wellington. It has become so bad in hundreds of cities around the world that central areas have been abandoned by retail, hospitality and tourism businesses. The consistent advice I get from other Mayors is to get on top of it while the numbers are small.
We need a soft heart and a hard head to resolve these problems. Council is, since 1 July, funding a new contract with the Male Room to triage and support these rough sleepers into sustainable housing. We are partnering with Nelson Tasman Housing Trust, Habitat for Humanity and The Salvation Army to grow the number of community homes.
Firmer enforcement is also needed. The Police Commissioner and Minister have responded promptly to my call for more regular Police patrols. Additional CCTV cameras in known trouble spots would help. Government is helping with firmer laws on trespassing and shoplifting. Our Council bylaws already prohibit both sleeping and begging in the central city.
We need businesses to report offending to Police more quickly and more often. We need the public to follow the advice of social agencies by donating to organisations such as The Sallies and not giving to street beggars when it will more likely be spent on alcohol and drugs, compounding the problem.
Local Police and our Council are meeting this week. Together, we need to get on top of these problems and make our city safer.
