Poll: Should Christchurch have a city-wide alcohol ban?
At a council meeting this week, city councillor Kelly Barber said he the council to implement a city-wide alcohol ban. He said allowing people to drink unsupervised in public was a bad look for the city.
Cr Aaron Keown supported Barber’s call for a city-wide ban, saying it was something the council should be exploring.
The comments were made during a discussion about a temporary alcohol ban around Woolston village, put in place in December 2022 after residents raised concerns about drinking and antisocial behaviour in the village. The council voted on Wednesday to extend the existing temporary ban until a permanent ban could be put in place.
Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board Paul McMahon said a city-wide ban would be harder to argue for than a specific one like Woolston's because the problem has to be proportional to the action taken.
What do you think? Should public drinking be banned across Christchurch? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below.
You can also read reporter Tina Law's full story on the Woolston alcohol ban on The Press' masthead site here (subscription required).
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62.6% Yes
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32.9% No
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4.5% I'm not sure/something else (tell us in the comments)
Poll: Would you commute by public transport if it was free?
Using your car is convenient, except for finding parking.
Cycling lets you leave anytime, but you might arrive soaked.
So, neighbours, if public transport had the perk of being free, would it be your main way to commute?
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67.3% Yes
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29.3% No
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3.4% Other - I'll share below
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.