Security warning

While police and security officers are stepping up their patrol presence during Vaka Eiva, paddlers and supporters are still advised to take ‘commonsense’ safety precautions, as it will be one of the busiest weeks of the year.

Police will be doing extra patrols – day and night – during Vaka Eiva and will be posted at Vaka Village so as to deter thieves from pinching bags and belongings.

“We want it (Vaka Eiva) to be crime-free and we will be on top of it,” Sergeant Paraia Vainerere said.

Vaka Eiva organiser Victoria Dearlove said that the organising committee has also sourced its own security guards, who will be present and on watch from first thing in the morning right through to the end of night-time functions.

They’ll be watching for sticky-fingered thieves but will also be there to direct traffic and herd crowds.

During Vaka Eiva 2009, paddlers reported four break-ins and two thefts. Two paddlers rang police after their bags were snatched from Avarua harbour.

Police want to remind paddlers and supporters to take care to look after their belongings.

“If you’re going out (paddling), make sure your things are with somebody – leave them with somebody onshore,” Vainerere said. “Otherwise keep them on your person.”

Police will be manning drink-driving checkpoints around the island, concentrating them around party-prone areas like Avarua and Muri.

“If you’re going to drink, don’t drive – if you’re caught, you pay the consequences,” Vainerere reminded partygoers.

He added that visitors should take care to lock doors and windows and to conceal valuables from view.

“Hide your things from view in your accommodation or your car,” he said. “People might be tempted to break in if they see something (valuable) through the window.”

He also warned that the storage space underneath the seat of the motorbike is not a safe place to keep valuable things, as it’s easy to access even if it’s locked.

“Just be vigilant and don’t set yourself up to be a victim,” he said. “But above all, enjoy.”