Councillor Aaron Keown’s latest attempt to clean up Manchester Street between Bealey Avenue and Edgeware Road came to an end when city council staff took down his posters.
The Papanui Shirley Board community board member had tied a number of posters to lamp-posts saying “no street workers” and then listing a number of laws that could be used to stop the sorts of behaviours associated with this activity.
Council staff took the posters down saying that prostitution is not illegal but declared the posters themselves, illegal.
That section of the Manchester Street has been used by prostitutes since the CBD was red-zoned in 2011 and has continued after the cordon was lifted. These activities have not returned to section of Manchester Street used prior to the earthquakes.
Problems associated with this trade, include rubbish, safety issues with dropped needles, noise and possible intimidation from the unsavoury characters who hang around street workers.
Aaron wants to make the area safer for residents.
Source: Largely based on a Press newspaper story online
What is it like living in Manchester Street? Residents end up living in the back part of their house, according to this piece by Mike Yardley.
