Dear Editor
I support calls to toughen up Auckland Council’s bylaws dealing with window washers. My electorate office regularly deals with complaints about the behaviour of window washers at intersections around South Auckland.
Constituents have been intimidated; their vehicles have been kicked and scratched. My staff and members of the public have witnessed fights and intimidation amongst window washers themselves, and, in fact, there was an outright brawl on East Tāmaki Road outside my office not so long ago.
I have written to Auckland Council and met regularly with local police to see what can be done. Police powers are limited but, nonetheless, they done what they can to charge window washers and manage the problem. It seemed for a while as if the problem had disappeared.
However, window washers are starting to reappear at South Auckland intersections and it is disappointing to hear a local board member and a member of the public have been recently assaulted by window washers. I appreciate this is a complex issue.
It would seem really helpful if Auckland Council would clarify and strengthen their rules in a way that supports the police’s ability to protect the public from these behaviours. We all have the right to go about our business without threats of intimidation on street corners.
Yours faithfully
Jenny Salesa
MP for Manukau East
Phone: 021 940 863
