Idea of Safe Zones in Wellington
At the Alcohol Youth Workshop, the youth there had an idea about safe zones. These would be places where those that had been harrased by intoxicated people and/or those who are drunk and just need a place to lie down and regather their thoughts What are your thoughts on this idea?
This is also a spot where you can have your say on what these safe zones would look/work/feel like.
Ollie Michie,
Deputy Chair, Wellington City Youth Council
mix irving
Thu 4 Apr 2013 12:30AM
as I've said in comment <--
I think safe houses are well intentioned, but will tend towards enabling unhealthy drinking culture.
ambulance at the cliff bottom... fuelled by volunteers = unsustainable
Lynsey Ferrari Sat 30 Mar 2013 7:14PM
I'm having trouble imagining a 'safe zone' in Courtney Place, or anywhere else downtown. Can you describe it?
Bing Lou Sat 30 Mar 2013 9:42PM
We also talked about this at the Youth Alcohol Workshop, where there might also be free water for people to sober up. I think its a great idea, also having it on either end of courtney place.
Ollie Michie Sun 31 Mar 2013 10:12PM
I changed the proposal closind date to Thursday as I thought that people may be away on Easter holiday and don't have access to loomio. Thanks to all those who have had their say so far. Ollie : )
Lynsey Ferrari Sun 31 Mar 2013 11:57PM
I'm prepared to go to Courtney Place on a Friday/Sat night with anyone else who'd like to walk/sit/observe/visualise and discuss what might be possible here.
Does it have to be away from the public gaze? Blanket Man created his own little 'safe place' on the pavement. An ambulance or a' paddy wagon' could be a safe place. A caravan parked in the open space near Taranaki St ? Who runs it - volunteers?
Geraldine Murphy Mon 1 Apr 2013 7:53AM
I saw part of an item on TV (I think TV1 early last week) about a safe place (caravan?) in the Auckland CBD for intoxicated people. It seemed to be run by volunteers. I'll email TVNZ and see if I can find out - unless someone else saw it.
I think this is a good idea that is worth investigating. A service like this is likely to require a lot of training and support. I know Salvation Army used to have a caravan in Cuba St (between Dixon & Manners St) but I haven't seen it for a while.
I agree with Ollie that safe zones for intoxicated people needs to be separate from a safe zone for those who feel threatened.
I think the emphasis of a safe zone should be on getting the individuals to a point where they are able to go home. I'm not sure about a safe zone that allows people to regather their thoughts if this means they then go back and consume more alcohol.
Ollie Michie Mon 1 Apr 2013 10:10PM
I saw that too but can't clearly remember it. Go ahead and email TVNZ and I will try and find it ondemand.
Ollie Michie Mon 1 Apr 2013 10:13PM
I would expect volunteers to run it. Also maybe ambulance staff. I don't think police as they can be a bit unsocial about this but if they set up a social night time squad that may help it. It is just a proposal at the moment and if it goes ahead then we can put together a draft copy.
Nikki line Tue 2 Apr 2013 12:21AM
the safe zone in auckland can be read about here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10871680
As the article says there is one in wellington already and more info can be read on that here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington-central/6445287/Warning-to-Wellington-binge-drinkers
The wellington one is set up more like a triage to ease the amount of drunk traffic that goes to A&E. It has been very successful and while i have never been there am not sure if it can be encorporated into a safe zone or safe house which also has water, food and places to lie down. it definitely has the medical assistance part down pat.
WCC are partners in the Wellington one so should be able to provide more details
Ollie Michie · Sat 30 Mar 2013 1:01AM
Probably on both sides of Courtney Place or other areas in the inner city.