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Routine Stop Nets Meth and Big Wad of Cash

A routine vehicle stop by an Invercargill Police dog handler in South Invercargill ended up netting a quantity of methamphetamine, almost $4000 in cash, and drug utensils just before 11pm last Saturday night (1 March).

Inspector Stu Harvey says Police had noticed an offensive weapon in the vehicle during the stop so conducted a search under the Search and Surveillance Act, allegedly locating the drugs, cash and utensils.

A 32-year-old Gore man has been charged with possession of methamphetamine and has been remanded on bail to appear in the Invercargill District Court later this month.

Gore Fuel Yard Targeted Multiple Times - $5000 In Fuel Stolen

Thieves have stolen what is thought to be more than $5000 worth of fuel in the most recent hit on McKeown Fuel Yard in Gore during the early hours of Friday, 21 February.

The fuel yard had already been hit several times previously and Harvey says the investigation is ongoing.

Police responded to a 111 call from the owner of the yard who kept them up to date while a Police dog team and Gore officers arrived.

They located a male in a vehicle. Items in the vehicle were linked to other offending, Harvey says.

As a result, a 37-year-old man was arrested and is facing a number of driving charges, along with violence and damage offences.

He was remanded on bail to appear in the Invercargill District Court on 18 March.

No Meat Better Than No Mate – Hunters Urged be ‘Doubly Sure’

While, thankfully, there have been no hunting firearms tragedies in recent years, Police are urging firearms users to be doubly sure, ‘beyond all doubt’, that they’ve identified their target before pulling the trigger with The Roar – deer hunting season – approaching this week (mid-March).

“Once you pull that trigger you don’t get the bullet back,” says Western Southland Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Pete Graham.

“Know the seven rules of firearms safety and make sure you have, or get, consent from any property owners,” he says.

Anyone caught unlawfully hunting will undergo a review of their firearms licence suitability.

“Sometimes that means a warning and sometimes revocation of their licence,” Graham says.

Hunters also need to know the new laws relating to safe transportation of firearms, ensuring they’re secure – locked in a case, out of sight, not able to be opened, with the bolts and magazines removed or secured by a trigger guard lock.

A joint campaign between the Firearms Safety Authority (Te Tari Pūreke) and the Recreational Firearms User Group is prompting hunters to be “be extra sure this Roar”.

Authority Director of Partnerships and Communities Mike McIlraith says while the campaign offers a number of simple actions related to hunter safety, the core message responds to the risk of mis-identifying a target.

“We want all hunters to have a great Roar and for everyone to come home safely,” he says. “Hunting deer whether for food or sport is an activity enjoyed by many, but we know firearms can be unforgiving.”

He’s urging hunters to be 100 percent sure that they’ve identified their target.

“If they have any doubts, then don’t shoot. Hunters shouldn’t feel pressured to take the shot – no meat or no trophy is better than no mate!”

Deer numbers are high in many parts of New Zealand and McIlraith says there’s no rush.

Hunters should take their time and “wait until they see the whole animal”.

The three key reminders this season are:

• Make a plan for your hunt and stick to it
• Always treat every firearm as loaded
• Identify your target beyond all doubt

Whether hunters are using optical or thermal imaging devices, they must follow Firearms Safety Rule 4 and identify their target beyond all doubt before firing, he says.

To keep safe this season see: www.firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz/roar-safety

Northland Cop Takes Up Ohai Sole Charge Posting

There will be no mischief in Ohai from now on with Northland police officer Constable Fred Young taking up his new sole charge posting there from Monday (10 March).

Ohai Constable Fred Young in front of his new station. Photo: NZ Police

Young, an officer for about seven years, has moved into the area from Kaikohe with his wife and young family, and replaces former Ohai policeman James Marsh, who left just prior to Christmas.

Senior Sergeant Graham asks that the local community make the Young family feel welcome with some true southern hospitality.

“There’s likely to be pikelets, scones and blue cod dropped off,” he grins.

Minor Damage To Cars in Bluff Oyster Rush

A record number of more than 100 utes and boat trailers packed the Bluff foreshore early for Bluff oyster season opening on Saturday, 1 March, and while overall behaviour was good, a couple of cars were damaged in the rush to get out on the water, Police say.

Bluff Police are investigating minor damage that was reported to them by two vehicle owners.

There were no free parking spaces from 9am as eager amateur oyster fishermen and women clambered on board to dredge up their 50 per person daily quota.

A Thousand Turn Out for Gore ‘Children’s Day’

Around 1000 people turned out for a large ‘Children’s Day’ community event in Gore, facilitated by Community Networking Trust (Eastern Southland) and supported by multiple agencies, including Gore Police who got right amongst it.

Harvey says they were thrilled with the turn out for the Hamilton Park event, which was all about the community and families coming together, relaxing and enjoying quality time, and “local kids feeling free and playing like young kids”.

“There were train rides, there was face painting and lots of fun on what was a hot sunny day, loved by everyone,” Harvey says.

The gratitude of the kids was reward enough for local officer Eastern Southland Police Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Gary Iddenten: “Seeing a smile on a face goes a long way.”

Streets To Close For Mass Police and Fire Open Day

There will likely be more smiles when Invercargill Police team up with Invercargill Fire and Emergency NZ staff for a combined public station open day on Saturday, 22 March, between 10am and 1pm.

The police and fire stations are only 100m apart and Jed and Don Streets will be closed off for the event to showcase Police and FENZ, their stations, emergency vehicles and equipment.

All members of the public and all ages are welcome, and tours will be given of both stations.

Calling All Police Recruits – Southland Needs You!

With a shortage of police officers and the government set to hire 500 more countrywide, Southland Police are actively recruiting for new people to train for the Invercargill and Gore Police.

“We can always do with more good people and we’re short down here right now,” Harvey says.

He’s urging people to come to either of two seminars being held – one at the Gore Police Station on Wednesday, 19 March, and the other at the Invercargill Police Station on Monday, 7 April, both at 6.30pm, to hear what it’s all about.