After-hours WIFI back on in Raetihi

FREE AFTER-HOURS WIFI BACK ON IN RAETIHI FROM TONIGHT

The new community agreed hours of 5.00am to 10.30pm for free WIFI to be provided via the Raetihi library will start from tonight (Wed 1 June 16) now that security cameras have been installed.

Raetihi's only after-hours free WIFI used to be provided 24/7 by Ruapehu District Council's (RDC) library but this was switched off on 20 April at the request of the Police in attempt to curb a spate of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour that was occurring around the town at night.

In consultation with the Waimarino-Waiouru Community Board (WWCB), the Police, Raetihi Promotions and the community it was agreed that the free WIFI hours would be from 5.00am to 10.30pm everyday once security cameras had been installed.

RDC Chief Executive Clive Manley said that extending the free WIFI hours from 5.00am to 10.30pm with the added security of video monitoring around the Raetihi council office and library was seen as a good compromise by the community.

Everyone involved believes that the young people who were getting into trouble shouldn't normally need to be out on streets after 10.30pm and that these hours were long enough for tourists and other legitimate users, he said.

Mr Manley noted however that the new extended free library WIFI hours will be under on-going review in consultation with the Police and the community.

If any anti-social or dangerous behaviour flares up once more and Council needs to switch the library WIFI off again after-hours we will not hesitate to do so.

Council has also undertaken to accelerate plans for implementing free town wide WIFI within the Raetihi central business district (CBD).

A public meeting has been scheduled for Thursday 23 June starting at 7.00pm in the Raetihi School Hall to answer any community questions and discuss some of the issues around extending free WIFI through the township.

Mr Manley said that the community needed to agree on a number of critical points such as hours of availability, areas covered, service levels and of course how to respond to any community impacts that may arise.

Anyone wanting more information on the Thursday 23 June meeting should contact either Samantha Arthur-Curtis or Lauren Gram via 06 385 8364.

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