Integrated community response proposed to improve city safety

19 May 2008

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker today met with Nick Donald, a spokesman for the family of Marie Davis the Christchurch teenager whose body was last month found in the Waimakariri River, to discuss ways to improve safety in Christchurch.

Mr Donald is proposing that he and other volunteers take part in community patrols of the central city. Mr Parker and Councillors Bob Shearing, Ngaire Button and Mike Wall who also attended today's meeting told Mr Donald that they supported his proposal.

"I'm also going to be asking staff at Council to look at a way where we can integrate the plan of community patrols that we are proposing under our Walkwise project with Nick Donald's proposal," he said.

"We were looking at putting teams on patrol, but combining this with Mr Donald's group, will enable us to potentially more than double the numbers."

Mr Parker said he liked the name suggested by Mr Donald of "Otautahi Angels".

"What Nick Donald proposes will potentially increase the safety in our city. I am very impressed with how he is making this happen. He has been to see both Police and the Council and wants his initiative to add to what is already happening or proposed."

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