The dramatic siege in the suburb of Napier Hill in Napier has now drawn to a conclusion. In the midst of the action, Civil Defence in Napier set up a temporary welfare centre at a nearby school. The Salvation Army and Red Cross provided food, clothing and toiletries. Contrary to some media reports, the welfare centre was not used to accommodate displaced Napier Hill residents.
All residents that were unable to return to their homes and registered at the welfare centre were encouraged to stay with family and friends where possible. All those that "needed" accommodation were placed in local motels and hotels by the welfare centre coordination team.
The local Motel Association was able to assist the process by communicating with the welfare centre and advising the availability of accommodation across the region.
I have been told that many motels gave away accommodation after a well intentioned motelier took it upon himself to appeal to his fellow moteliers to donate rooms, although Civil Defence payments were available to meet the immediate needs of people who were required to leave their homes.
The news story that broke yesterday about a local low-life that allegedly took advantage of the state of emergency and generosity of others has added insult to injury.
13/05/2009
A Napier teenager has been charged after allegedly posing as an evacuee during last week's gun siege, receiving a free motel room for a night and stealing alcohol and electronic equipment and keys to other rooms.More than 120 people were evacuated from their homes during the 50-hour standoff between armed man Jan Molenaar and police last week that left a police officer and the gunman dead, and two other officers and a civilian injured.
Police alleged that Raniera Ropata Harris, a 19-year-old unemployed Napier man, signed up with the Red Cross as an evacuee before securing the room at Tennyson Motor Inn on Thursday night, Hawke's Bay Today reported.
He was allegedly caught on security camera raiding the motor inn's office overnight, stealing items including a laptop and keys to other rooms.
He also invited four friends to stay the night in his room while he stayed at another hotel.
He was arrested on Friday. A 17-year-old and three 14-year-olds, found by police in the motel room on Friday, were charged with receiving alcohol.
The three youngest, who cannot be named as they are being dealt with by Youth Aid, were also charged with obtaining by deception.
Tennyson Motor Inn manager Peter Kipling-Arthur said genuine evacuees were upset to hear the teenagers would take advantage of situation, Hawke's Bay Today reported.
Around 20 accommodation providers had offered rooms to Napier Hill residents who were evacuated from their homes, he said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Dewhirst of Napier police said the incident was a "despicable act" that "soured the deal" for genuine evacuees.
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