This Worried Me

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

A friend of mine mailed me this article: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040110/80/ej32q.html

"Monday January 12, 11:34 AM

Woman gets burns from toilet

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A woman will require plastic surgery for serious burns after she sat on a New Zealand public toilet smeared with an unknown chemical, media reports.

The woman was one of four to suffer burns from the chemical, which had been smeared on seats and other areas in a public toilet in a park in the city of Christchurch, in the early hours of Saturday, the New Zealand Press Association reported.

"It appears that a clear, gel-like substance had been smeared on the toilet seats, press-down buttons and on the building's walls," said Senior Sergeant Neru Leifi.

A sample of the chemical had been sent for analysis. Three of the women were treated and discharged but the fourth was still in hospital, a police officer told Reuters.

A fire brigade hazardous chemicals unit was called in to remove the chemical. "

This is the kind of senseless crime that we've come to expect in London, so I was gutted to read that it had happened in a lovely city like Christchurch.

Please reassure me that this type of thing doesn't happen with any kind of regularity!

Spencer · Testing The Water Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 7

JCM · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 7:15 am Post subject: Re: This Worried Me

JCM · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 1:17 pm Post subject:

Just saw this in the NZ Herald to reassure you that despite crime being a worldwide phenomenon, there is still a place in NZ for a more informal approach. bobby

I wonder whether people who can't do all the press-ups end up getting fined too. Laughing

Pay up or press-up: new approach to law enforcement

A police officer's unorthodox methods have been raising eyebrows -- and a few chuckles -- in central Hastings recently.

Community Constable Dora Edmonds is cracking down on cyclists riding on the footpath or not wearing helmets, as well as other minor misdemeanours.

But rather than just doling out fines, she gives the offenders a choice: Pay a $55 fine or do 55 press-ups. Most seem to be opting for the cheaper punishment, but Constable Edmonds is finding Hastings' cyclists "pretty unfit".

"A lot of them have to go on their knees, and the only person so far who's managed 55 press-ups in a row was a girl."

Apart from the amusement for shoppers and tourists, her method makes sure the rule-breakers remember her and the rules.

"The helmet law has been in for quite a few years, so I've tightened up on it," she says.

On Thursday she was lenient with an 11-year-old shoplifter because he returned stolen shoes, and set him 55 press-ups and 55 burpies in front of the fountain.

"He said, 'Miss, everyone's watching' -- and I told him everyone was watching him shoplift too."

Originally from the Hokianga, Constable Edmonds started with the Wairoa police 13 years ago.

Her last position was with forensics in Palmerston North, but she felt it was time to get back into frontline policing and started the Hastings job two weeks ago.

"Forensics isn't as easy as people think. It's very disciplined and hard on the body. You can be looking for a pubic hair on a carpet with a torch for two hours, or searching a park for one little earring. I like people contact a lot better," she says.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3543507&thesection=news&thesubsection=general

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Well, I'm glad to hear that this type of crime is fairly rare. Cripes.

JCM, that push - ups story made me smile. My husband could probably do 55. I can do 20 or so.....proper ones, that is!

Mr. Green

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

i think i'd opt for the fine to save myself the humiliation Wah

on a point of hygene, my mum always taught me to wipe around the seat of public toilets before sitting on them and i do this religiously. Yes

i for one wouldn't be caught out by the tiolet seat terrorist. Razz

MichelleW · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:23 pm Post subject:

I don't think there is any way to totally avoid crime but it is still better there than many places.I hope at least that the crime is better than Florida! I live in Orlando where besides having Disney and all that ,also has the highest child murder rate in the U.S.or so they say on the news all the time.I will be glad to leave!

Michelle

Charlotte · I Like It Here Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 70

Rodders: I never go *near* public toilets! I'm a real hygeine freak. I'm even stressed about having to use public facilities on the plane. Yuk. Eek

Michelle: I know what you mean, regarding crime. Obviously, we're no strangers to it, living in London. I'm assuming the crime rate in NZ is much lower than in London, or Orlando!

I've started to read NZ newspapers online, so far I've discovered:

NZOOM: http://onenews.nzoom.com/

NZ Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nznews/

Stuff: http://www.stuff.co.nz/

Scoop: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/

MichelleW · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 10:40 am Post subject:

Thank you for the links Charlotte!

Michelle