Residents of Waitakere are rapt with the efforts of offenders to turn an eyesore into a sight for sore eyes!
The back of a secluded block of shops became a meeting place for local youths, who had parties and tagged the building.
After a concerned resident wrote to the mayor, the Crime Prevention Unit for Care Waitakere stepped in. They got the ball rolling by working with the landlord to get a 2.5m gate installed.
While the gate deterred the taggers, the back of the shops were still in a terrible state.
CPPS was called on for help, and under the watchful eye of Community Work Supervisor Tu Romia, offenders did everything from painting over the unsightly tagging to landscaping the gardens and clearing away rubbish.
“The guys were very motivated to get it done and do it well,” says then Crime Protection Project Leader, Gill Evans.
“They were like dynamite blasting through, and what a difference it has made!”
She says the experience is a learning process for the offenders, as it is a useful and rewarding way for them to use their hours and get real results.
The residents are also very pleased with the end product. “We are hoping that now the place is tidy there will be more motivation to keep the place in good shape. Thanks to the offenders, the hard work is done.”
BEFORE: The back of these Waitakere shops were an eyesore until offenders on community work stepped in.
AFTER: Offenders on community work stepped in.
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ISSN 1178-1327