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Over a month on from Cyclone Gabrielle, NZ Police says there is still a huge amount of work to be done.
Eastern District Police will attend community meetings in cyclone-affected areas next week.
Four meetings, organised by the community and the local council, are scheduled for the coming week.
Police will have a presence at each of the meetings to ensure those attending have an opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park says that over a month on from Cyclone Gabrielle, many continue to struggle with the loss of loved ones, property and livelihoods.
“The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle will be felt for years to come,” Park says.
She says that while we are no longer in the immediate response phase, there is still a huge amount of work to be done.
“We want the residents of Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti to know we’re here to support them and their needs are front of mind.”
Since the cyclone, staff, including those from out of district have been on the ground carrying out thousands of prevention activities, including reassurance patrols and proactive engagement with storm-hit communities.
Mobile Police Bases remain in the district, ensuring officers are visible in the places they are most needed.
“Our mobile bases have been invaluable for connecting directly with our communities and providing a sense of reassurance,” Park says.
“The feedback has been really positive and, operationally, it’s also given us a really clear picture of what’s happening on the ground.
“We know that people may have heightened concerns about crime, and we want to connect either in person, or via the dedicated 105 line.
“Our community is hugely resilient and we continue to work with them to provide support.”
Park says that in many cases, NZ Police staff have gone “above and beyond”.
She says that while staff from across New Zealand continue to support the region, that will be scaled back as it moves into the recovery phase.
If there was a silver lining in the tragedy that was Cyclone Gabrielle, for New Zealand Young Grower of the Year, Grace Fulford, it was the tremendous sense of community and seeing first-hand what good leadership looks like.
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