Ross station spared

The Ross police station has been spared from the chopping block and will remain open — mainly thanks to the outcry from worried residents.
West Coast police area commander Inspector John Canning confirmed yesterday that the currently unmanned station was safe from closure and the vacancy would be advertised shortly.
In July, the days of the one-man station looked numbered after Mr Canning revealed that he had no plans to replace Ross constable Adam Roberts, who transferred to Southland last month, citing an average of 48 offences in the township over the past year.
“When we’ve got crime being reported on a not quite once a week basis it’s not really value for money,” Mr Canning said at the time.
“We are not talking about taking resources out of South Westland, but re-adjusting staff to where the crime is.”
However, Ross and Harihari residents did not take it lying down, rallying with a public meeting, writing to the Prime Minister and gathering 500 signatures in just two days on a ‘Save our Station’ petition.
Among their main concerns was that Ross would be isolated, with police having to travel from Hokitika or Franz Josef Glacier in the case of emergency, although Mr Canning said Ross was only a “10-minute fast drive” from Hokitika.
Ross Community Association chairman Charlie McBeath was yesterday relieved to hear that the station had been spared.
“I’m absolutely delighted that they have had a rethink. It’s good news, not only for Ross and Harihari but for policing in the whole of Westland,really,” he said.
“People have been feeling a bit uneasy about the possible closure. It’s always a comfort to know a police presence is there.”
Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh said the residents’ united front had been the saving grace.