City safety

Community policing in Dunedin is all about pro-active problem-solving with partner groups.

Dunedin has two community constables who work with government, non-government and community groups to:

• reduce crime and road trauma
• increase community safety
• offer a sense of reassurance to our residents and visitors.

They are focused on making our community a safer place to live by working with the community, dealing with the little issues before they become big issues.

As well as the community constables, there is a campus cop who provides a vital link between the Police, the University and the community. More information about the Campus Cop can be found on the University of Otago website.

Graffiti vandalism

The DCC is committed to taking an active role, along with our wider community, in addressing graffiti vandalism in the city.

Two ways to effectively do this are; removing graffiti as quickly as possible and creating more appealing art within the city. Fresh graffiti is easier to remove. When graffiti is left, it can attract more vandalism – and more recognition for those who graffiti.

Creating art such as murals in areas that have experienced repeated graffiti, can deter graffiti vandalism. And, murals make the city a more interesting place to live. Keep Dunedin Beautiful supports creation of murals across the city and the DCC assists with this work.

The DCC removes graffiti on public property but is unable to deal with all graffiti. This type of vandalism is a community issue – and one we need to tackle together.

Reporting graffiti vandalism

Graffiti vandalism on Council assets will be removed within three working days, with offensive graffiti removed within eight hours. If you see graffiti on public land or property, please report this on 03 477 4000.

Private property in key locations including walking routes and properties bordering parks are often targeted for graffiti vandalism. Fences, garages and street facing buildings in these areas can be prime targets.

To report graffiti vandalism on your own private property or another property, please contact us on phone 03 477 4000.

Property owners are responsible for the removal of graffiti and tagging on private property, however the DCC can provide advice on the best course of action and guidance on ways to deter graffiti in the future.  It’s also important to notify us so we can understand where graffiti may be occurring regularly, and work with communities to find ways to address this.

If you wish to advise the Police of graffiti on your private property please call 105, the non-emergency number for Police, or complete the form on the Police website 105.police.govt.nz

Council’s primary role:

• Promptly remove graffiti on Council property
• Facilitate community responses to address graffiti such as murals
• Provide advice to property owners
• Manage reporting and share this information with the Police

In 2004, the DCC implemented a bylaw prohibiting consumption of alcohol in public places. It is enforceable in the central city area and includes all open liquor containers.

You can take alcohol that you have just bought through the area, as long as it is in an unopened container. This means that off-licence premises can operate in liquor ban areas and that you can take alcohol through the area to a private residence. It does not mean you can't have a glass of wine at your friend's apartment in the central business area!

If you are found consuming liquor in this area, you may receive a fine of up to $20,000.

The bylaw includes a clause that allows for temporary liquor bans to be added for a specified time or in a specified area, such as the ban imposed in North Dunedin during the Undie 500 weekend.

Why do we have this bylaw?

The Control of Liquor in Public Places Bylaw came into effect after research showed that most of the arrests and disturbances were alcohol related - between 75 and 80% of offenses after 7pm. Since 2004, these numbers have declined steadily.

Security camera use

The DCC is committed to providing a safe city for both staff and the public.

Closed circuit security cameras may be installed on Council premises and at other locations providing Council services, in order to:

1. ensure Council staff and public safety
2. improve security and deter criminal activity
3. monitor trespassing, or illegal or malicious activity on Council property
4. provide evidence for Council or Police investigations and potential prosecution.

Body worn cameras

Body worn cameras may be worn by designated DCC Parking and Animal Services Officers while engaged in the delivery of Council services, in order to:

1. provide Council with information about the incidence, nature and severity of negative public interactions, including verbal abuse, threatening behaviour and physical assaults towards officers.
2. minimise the risk of harm to staff and the public, by encouraging positive behaviour and interactions between the public and Council officers.
3. provide a record of events where an incident requires further investigation or to be referred to the Police.

The DCC will ensure that the operation of security and body worn cameras does not unreasonably intrude on the privacy of individuals. Camera footage will only be held for the reasons identified above, in line with relevant legislation including the NZ Privacy Act 1993.

Camera footage access

The DCC protects all personal information it holds from unauthorised access or use. security and body worn camera footage will only be made available to Council staff or third parties (e.g. the Police) in the event of a formal investigation, and only if the request is deemed justified, the footage is 'readily retrievable' and it doesn't unreasonably breach anyone's privacy.

Members of the public may also request access to personal footage that relates to them. You can request to access camera footage, or make an enquiry or complaint regarding the use of cameras as follows:

• Online: Request access DCC security camera footage
• Post: Download the Request access DCC security camera footage form and post to Dunedin City Council, PO Box 5045, Moray Place, Dunedin 9058. Attention: Privacy Officer
• Email: privacy@dcc.govt.nz
• Phone: 03 477 4000

Octagon city safety cameras

The DCC, in collaboration with the Police has a number of city safety cameras operating in the Octagon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Images are recorded constantly, and busy times such as Friday and Saturday nights are monitored by trained volunteers working under Police supervision.

The objectives of the City Safety (Octagon) Camera Programme are to:

1. reduce crime and disorder levels by deterring potential offenders
2. reduce the public’s fear of crime
3. help ensure a timely, effective police response
4. assist in the detection and prosecution of offenders
5. help secure a safer environment for those people who live in, work and visit Dunedin’s city centre.

Emergency

If there is an emergency and you need urgent help from the police, ambulance or fire services, phone 111.

Non-emergency

If you need to talk to the police about a non-urgent matter, phone 105.