Safety in downtown New Plymouth is under the spotlight again, after a knife was pulled at a city business this week, prompting calls for a better balance to be found quickly to meet the needs of all users of the CBD.
On Monday, a 16-year-old was arrested and charged after brandishing a knife and making threats towards customers of Johnson Corner, a co-working space near the intersection of Devon St West and Brougham St.
It’s the latest in a string of longstanding issues with anti-social behaviour in the area, particularly around Puke Ariki library.
Johnson Corner chief executive Adnan Belushi said his business had suffered due to customers feeling unsafe.
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VANESSA LAURIE/Stuff
Johnson Corner chief executive Adnan Belushi says a recent episode of violence at his business highlighted that more work was needed to make sure the needs of all CBD users were met. (File Photo)
As a way to protect his clientele, Belushi was about to pay $10,000 to put in a form of privacy screening along the glass frontage of his building.
Belushi said while he had put up with some anti-social behaviour during the four years his business had been at the site, he had zero tolerance for violence.
The incident underscored the need for a better balance to be achieved for all…
