Video: Superintendent Jeanette Park says rumours need to stop so police can do job
Rumours and speculation around the level of crime in post-Cyclone Gabrielle Hawke's Bay are distressing and don't help people or communities "try and manage through this", says Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park.
Speaking at the Hawke's Bay Emergency Coordination Centre in Hastings this afternoon, Park said the number of people arrested since the cyclone devastated the region two weeks ago was part of a "normal operating environment".
"As I've said, I will not tolerate any criminal behaviour in our communities, and we will be on top of that as quick as possible and as efficiently as possible. So from me to our communities, please be assured that we are across this. I know what our people are doing and they're doing an exceptionally good job," Park said.
"We're working with our partners every day. We've been at community meetings, meeting with community leaders. We are doing everything we can and we will continue to do that."
For rural communities, Park said more officers will be deployed into those areas as access becomes available. "But we're working with the NZDF in order to fly in and assist there."
In the past 24 hours to 1pm, police had conducted more than 600 reassurance activities including foot and mobile patrols, with mobile police bases operating across the region, Park said.
There were also 15 arrests relating to a variety of incidents including assault, shoplifting, and breaches of bail - all part of a "normal operating environment" in Hawke’s Bay.
The number of people who remain uncontactable following Cyclone Gabrielle is now down to three, including one person on active charges.
"Our teams are lifting every rock. Nothing is left unturned in order to locate people and get them back to their loved ones. For the people that we are looking for, the important thing for me is please, if you are aware we are looking for you, come forward. Any support that we can provide you, any assistance that we can provide you, please come forward and see us because we won't stop looking. We need to locate you."
Park reiterated earlier pleas for information regarding missing Gisborne man Joseph Ahuriri’s whereabouts.
“We need to track his movements. It’s incredibly important.
"So if there is any information that you have, please come forward to us so we can follow that up. We have made several inquiries in relation to Joseph, and at this stage, we don't believe that necessarily the cyclone is part of his disappearance. However, we can't discount that. So until we get further information, we will keep knocking on doors and we will keep talking to people until we can locate Joseph."
