Sourcing funding is the only prickly problem for the CACTUS project being developed as a police and community initiative at Taita College.

Combined Adolescent Challenge Truancy Unit and Support (CACTUS) is modelled on similar programmes that have been run in Blenheim, the West Coast and Wairoa.

They’re not standing under a cactus plant but they all hope the CACTUS youth project planned for Taita College in Term One next year will be a blooming success. From left to right: Henry Ballantyne (Head of PE at Taita College), Constable Kerrin Humphrey (Lower Hutt Police community engagement team), Gina Valentic (Lower Hutt Police Youth at Risk project leader), Linda Pye (Assistant Principal) and Constable Colin Odell (Lower Hutt Youth Aid). Photo: Kaye Calder

Now Lower Hutt’s community engagement team have taken the idea to community and youth advocates and Taita College who are welcoming the opportunity to get involved.

CACTUS is an eight-week, three days-a-week programme where 25 year 9 - 13 students are selected for an intensive programme encouraging them to take self responsibility.

The students start the day at 6am with a gym workout followed by breakfast supplied by volunteers and then it’s off to school. Responsibility means getting to the gym on time. There’s an element of ‘peer pressure’ – if you’re late fellow students have to keep doing press ups until you get there!

The programme, set to start in term one next year, culminates in a longest day challenge and graduation dinner.

CACTUS is just one of the initiatives that Constables Clint Macdonald, Nadia Mauriohooho and Kerrin Humphrey have scoped since they came on board as Lower Hutt’s community engagement team last December.

Clint says it’s been a big learning curve getting in touch with community networks, and working out where and how police can make the difference to community reassurance.

A major project for the team has been the recently passed 24 x 7 extended public liquor bans in Petone, the Lower Hutt CBD and Stokes Valley. This was the direct result of listening to community needs. “Businesses, retailers and residents were sick of cleaning up the vomit, the broken bottles and dealing with alcohol related issues on their streets,” Clint says. “The will was there from the community and council to make a change.”

The new bylaws significantly widen coverage areas. A large part of Petone including beach front, business and residential streets are now included; Lower Hutt’s CBD coverage area now takes in the area around Melling train station and part of Harbour View Road where boy racers congregate; the Hutt Recreation Ground and surrounding area which was having turf damaged and people cut by broken bottles; and the Stokes Valley shopping precinct and park.

The team believes the bylaws are already making a difference – especially to retailers faced with Monday morning clean-ups after weekend excesses.