Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker says the Clutha community wants 24/7 staffing of the Balclutha Police Station, as more than 1000 people have already signed his petition.
Last month, Mr Walker launched his petition to reinstate 24/7 staffing of the Balclutha Police Station after concerns there have been dozens of calls in the past year to Balclutha Police in unmanned hours.
Late last year, the Government made the U-turn decision to not staff the Balclutha Police Station 24/7 which National had announced when in government.
“With more than 1000 signatures already, it is evident the community want the Balclutha station staffed 24/7,” Mr Walker says.
“It is not even just a case of what the community wants but what the community needs.”
“It is about the safety of Clutha people who should feel safe in their homes and this needs to be taken seriously.”
“It is also about the Balclutha Police Officers, who should not be put under this amount of pressure and stress.”
“There is already work ongoing to reduce crime in the area, like the Methamphetamine Awareness Campaign, but this needs to be a joint approach which requires 24/7 staffing of the Balclutha Police Station.”
“I’m hoping the Government will see in this community support how necessary 24/7 staffing of the station in Balclutha is, and reverse its decision.”