TODAY local businessman Jon Leng, owner of Chapel Apartments at 81 Moray Place, found himself being manhandled / roughed up by police officers as he was shown out of Dunedin Central police station.
Did Our Lovely Police keep any video footage of the incident – WIPED?!?
Oh, three foyer cameras ‘not online’, they said?
Apparently, the moment selected to ‘move on’ Mr Leng coincided with the absence of witnesses in the foyer…. conveniently, the woman receptionist was seen to lower her head (and eyes) for the expulsion.
Hopefully, Otago Daily Times, which Mr Leng visited shortly after the bruising, will run some decent coverage of the ruffled protagonist with his broken ($800) glasses.
![Inspector Melanie Aitken [police.govt.nz] 1](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/inspector-melanie-aitken-police-govt-nz-1.jpg)
Perturbed about the advertised 130-person party (Ball!) at Backpackers, next door at 2 View Street, Mr Leng had visited Dunedin Central to speak to Inspector Melanie Aitken who heads the investigation (into harassment and intimidation of View Street residents) that followed screening of ‘Party Central’ on Sunday TVNZ (10 May 2015).
Because ‘Mel’ Aitken made herself unavailable, Mr Leng decided not to leave Dunedin Central until she met with him. Fair enough.
At some point, however, he was forcibly removed from the station.
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![Chapel Apartments, 81 Moray Place cnr View Street [Google Street View] 1](https://dunedinstadium.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/chapel-apartments-81-moray-place-cnr-view-street-google-street-view-1.jpg)
Chapel Apartments, 81 Moray Place [Google Street View]
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### ODT Online Tue, 14 Jul 2015
View St event worries neighbour
By Carla Green
Residents of a notorious Dunedin student party flat have sent a letter to neighbours, saying they are “having a Ball” on Friday but are “really keen to minimise any inconvenience to you”. However, the owner of a neighbouring building, [Jon] Leng, is sceptical the event in the View St flat will be any different from previous parties. […] Mr Leng rents his View St property to short-term tenants, and said every time the student flat held a party in the past, he had to provide refunds.
Read more
█ Download: Ball at Backpackers, letter (PDF, 267 KB)
Note: According to DCC, Backpackers (2 View Street) may host a maximum of 50 people at ‘The Ball’, not the 130 persons invited by tenants.
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Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
● 12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place [2 View Street owner details]
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
What if? Dunedin... 
Perhaps Mr Leng would appreciate a few visitors – supporters with cellphones and cameras to thoroughly record any deviations from the promised peaceful party, and equipment ready to set up at various distances from the problem flat to record noise levels and any objectionable language. I get the feeling police would rather not know about his concerns. Funny the way they tend to go invisible at certain times, but emerge to utter warnings against members of the public taking matters into their own hands.
Jon Leng definitely needs support.
View the luxury accommodation at http://www.chapelapartments.co.nz/ —you can appreciate Mr Leng’s concerns for his business.
Or check out Chapel Apartments Dunedin at Google Images.
It seems to becoming the Dunedin way. When things become too hot you refuse to talk or, better still, go on a holiday.
Jon Leng’s View.
I would like to make it very clear that I am not against students.
But I have got a problem when they get filled up on alcohol and start making problems for my accommodation business and my guests.
The tenants of number two View Street have been causing problems for the residents in the area and my business for the last five years.
The worst incident we have had was when one of the drunk students fell through my back window and landed on the balcony of one of my apartments on the inside. He was covered in blood and unconscious.
I had two ladies and three small children staying in my apartment for two nights, this happened at 2 o’clock in the morning.
Can you imagine how my guest felt?
The ambulance and police arrived, no charges were laid by the police and no compensation was paid to me or my guest.
When I discussed the issue with the police the following day and I asked them why no charges were laid, the police response was
It was an accident, nobody’s fault.
So I said to the police, the student accidentally got drunk.
I then suggested I get accidentally drunk, get in my car and kill your wife and child, Will there be no charges for me,
After that the police were not interested in discussing the matter any further with me, Funny that ….
I built up Chapel apartments from a derelict building and it has been voted number one accommodation in Dunedin. And I’m going to do my very best to keep it that way.
In the last five years the DCC, the police, and the university have done absolutely nothing to fix this problem.
DCC, DAVE CULL. Get off your f__king arse and do something. (A liquor ban in View Street would be a good start)
DUNEDIN POLICE. In the last five years you been as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
MEL AITKEN. I was the person that laid the complaint, so as a taxpayer and a ratepayer I have every right to know what was happening regarding the safety of my guests, properly. Pretty gutless on your behalf.
Maybe you should be investigated.
JON LENG
Thanks Jon. The post is receiving the highest views today (out of 140 posts viewed), and only published at 7:00pm, meteoric rise…. very good reception!
People in City Rise affected by popup parties keyed in, sympathetic to your cause. Emails flying….
Result! “…..it was decided, if the event did go ahead, council and police staff would be on site to monitor the event.”
might have to comply with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2013
Extremely tenuous. But what to do after police assault a member of the public, at their central police station!
I suspect this site’s refusal to let ongoing issues fade into tactful mists that has contributed to the decision of police and DCC to drop their normal practice of being frightfully busy somewhere else until major mayhem erupts. The ODT did a good job of the initial report of police mistreatment of innocent person trying to get attention to a known (it’s got history – has it ever!) event venue planning another troublemakers’ flare-up.
Mr Leng does not sound like the kind of man who will let assault by police go quietly into the bulging file marked “Dolly / the dead guy did it. No further action required.”
I’m sure we’ll read about any further developments here. With luck the local “professional” media will also be onto this like a dog with a bone. It’s all very well ignoring dysfunctional authorities, until one day when you need them they’ve sunk so deep into uselessness or corruption that they won’t help you, even it you’re used to seeing yourself as high on the social ladder. People currently on that rung should think on’t and do their duty to keep the “traditional good guys” good.
Allied Press – you hearing the message?
Make public drunkedness an offence (it used to be law) then enforce it. Give police ability to ticket drunks with $1000 on the spot fines.
Or, seek recourse with Don Corleone. The public path is lined with neutered officials. What if Dunedin grew a pair.
Any respect had for Inspector Melanie (Mel) Aitken is now completely demolished given her shoddy treatment of local businessman Jon Leng yesterday. She can’t hide any more under that vacuous police cap of hers.
And another thing, Aitken has done SFA to bring charges in relation to multiple instances of cyberbullying and intimidation of another View Street resident since 10 May. Why?
Whatifdunedin sees that Andrew Coster has a liability on his hands, to add to his pile of incompetents at Dunedin Central.
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### ODT Online Thu, 16 Jul 2015
Complaining leads to complaint
By Rhys Chamberlain
A man who says police ”won’t take him seriously” has been left with an abrasion on his head and broken glasses after being forcibly removed from the Dunedin Central Police Station. View St property owner Jon Leng said two police officers removed him after he refused to leave yesterday afternoon.
Read more
Ms Aitken again, all sweetness and light this time…. too late.
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### ODT Online Thu, 16 Jul 2015
Warning over View St event
By Damian George
The Dunedin City Council and police have warned organisers of tomorrow night’s controversial View St party the event could fall under the city’s strict alcohol supply and sale provisions. In a media statement, council general manager services and development Simon Pickford and Inspector Mel Aitken, of Dunedin police, said the party might have to comply with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2013.
Read more
****
Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Joint Media Statement
This item was published on 15 Jul 2015
As a result of these concerns, DCC and Police staff have spoken with the occupants regarding their host responsibilities as the event may fall under the provisions of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2013.
The DCC and Police would like to reassure these residents that if the event does go ahead, both organisations will be monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action in regards to any incident that may arise.
The DCC and Dunedin Police would like to remind all Dunedin residents about their responsibilities when it comes to hosting large events and urge them to be familiar with these before planning an event.
Staff from both the DCC and Police are more than happy to discuss these responsibilities with any resident who may be planning to host a similar event in the future
Contact DCC on 477 4000. DCC Link
### dunedintv.co.nz July 16, 2015 – 5:37pm
Police to keep eye on planned View Street party
Police and council officers are keeping a close eye on View Street, where a large party is planned to the dismay of neighbours.
Video
Sadly this is yet another example of the appalling attitude and culture of the Dunedin Police. Sad that there is such a climate and sad that the police seem to just dig themselves further into their self-created hole. No doubt at all from Mr Leng’s account and his injuries and damage to his glasses that the police used excessive force to remove him.
But how about an alternative?
Meet Mr Leng, listen carefully to his concerns, take them seriously, visit the “boys” from View Street and lay down the law. Would this have been a better course of action? Damn right, but that is not the culture of the Dunedin police. Tell the complainant nothing and treat them like a criminal. It is extremely hard to find too many examples of policing in Dunedin that earns respect these days.
Of course the DCC could do more as well and I’m certain that either the University or Polytech could do more. How? The DCC could apply pressure via the landlord of these cretins, and the tertiary institution could immediately haul the students in and apply their own disciplinary measures for bringing the institution into disrespect.
Well call me naive, but I take heart from the fact that the police and DCC will be at View St on Sat night. It’s just a pity that once again it has taken the desperate action of a resident and more negative publicity for Dunedin in the media to make the authorities think ‘oh shit, we’d better do something.’
The North Dunedin accord (with stakeholders vowing to collaborate to address out-of-control drunken behaviour in the student are) needs to be extended to City Rise, where the problems are just the same. And it’s about time we learned what the signatories to the accord are doing. It’s been two months now.
I agree with russandbev that bad landlords should be called to account but I don’t think the DCC or anyone else has the legal teeth to do this at present. In fact, the DCC is positively encouraging the proliferation of high-density rental accommodation in City Rise and developers are having a field day at the expense of the dwindling number of permanent residents and the heritage character of the area.
What a long time it has taken for the View St saga to come to a head … Just found this on ODT online – from MORE THAN THREE YEARS AGO.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/201696/residents-take-dim-view-behaviour
What if? Dunedin has received the following copy from a View Street resident for our file reference:
1. Resident’s letter sent to Kevin Mechen, dated 13 April 2011.
2. Printout of all Jon Leng’s emergency calls for the period Sat, 22 February to Sun, 9 March 2014 (111 Police, DCC 034774000, and one other network).
3. Retracted ODT article, written by Hamish McNeilly, ‘Partying during ad filming outrages neighbours’ (? Mon, 10 March 2014).
4. Letter from Auckland guest affected by ‘Party Central’, dated 11 March 2014.
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[click to enlarge]
█ Download: Retracted Article ODT est. Mon, 10 Mar 2014. Supplied. (PDF, 200KB)
It seems the Dunedin police can’t do anything right. It’s about leadership….or, in this case, lack of it. Andrew Coster needs to work overtime to sort out his team and put competent people in the right positions. No excuses must be given to cops who probably should not be there and who put the police in a bad light. The public need to once again have respect for the police. As it is they are a joke. They have fucked up so many investigations in recent times. We can agree they have a tough job, but this sympathy for them is running out.
I have lost confidence in the police. It would take a bit to win it back.
Peter, you are not the only one to lose confidence in the police. The Central Otago District Mayor, Tony Lepper was reported as saying that the police would have to earn respect again after that appalling case where they caused an accident on Earnscleugh Road, tried to hide their culpability, lied in Court, prosecuted the innocent party and caused years of grief – only outed by the determined efforts of a local man. They still have not, to my knowledge, made any heartfelt apologies – far more important to them to retain this pig-headed attitude of “we’re right and we’ll protect our own at all costs”. The response from the local cops was typical – they immediately climbed into the Mayor for daring to make the comments.
I know from my own experiences with the police that they are not interested in pursuing things that might be difficult and they always use this “not enough evidence to prosecute” which is an easy way out when you haven’t bothered to investigate in any case.
Note: Simon Pickford’s minimal approach to letter writing.
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Received from View Street resident.
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 at 3:46 p.m.
█ Message: FYI… and again street noise from those coming and going whether it’s 50 or 5,000 doesn’t rate a consideration. Disruption is pretty much guaranteed. Let’s hope it rains!
[ends]
Received from View Street resident.
Thu, 16 Jul 2015 at 5:10 p.m.
█ Message: My responses to Pickford & Co…
[ends]
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Tonight from 5:30pm, whatifdunedin was sitting at Wharf Hotel with Jon Leng and another friend, watching 2 View Street on iPad (CCTV footage) – the lead-in to ‘The Ball’.
One guy on cell phone outside the property standing on the street (security?) looked bored, like he’d turned to concrete (and no, the video feed hadn’t frozen). Very Dr Who.
Few arriving for the party (sorry, Ball!) – it has to end early at 11:30pm.
What sort of party is that…. one heavily leaned on by Police and DCC, that’s what. Hahahaha.
Perhaps everyone’s at home pre-loading. Or has the Backpackers Ball been cancelled / deferred ?
If after 11:30 there’s mayhem on View Street, it will all be caught on video.
They who dare, dare think twice.
VIEW ST BALL. 130 PEOPLE. NO BALLS.
Thank you to the people who have supported us.
I think we have made a difference and succeeded on this View Street Ball.
I went to some pretty extreme measures to get the attention of the police (yes they are the ones that gave me a biff in the head).
DCC got involved in the situation and we discussed things that could be done. Dave Cull returned my phone call and met with me at very short notice and discussed the procedures that DCC had already put in place for this particular night. Good work by the DCC, I hope it is ongoing.
The Otago Daily Times reporters also did a good job. Cheers.
Last week was a very hectic week for me, and this sort of thing can take up a lot of your time. This week I haven’t really got much planned, it’s probably going to be a little bit dull!!!
Actually I have a little bit of a headache over this (could it be post Biff concussion syndrome). I think I will take my solicitor’s advice on this.
Yous guys in the DUNEDIN POLICE are running a circus down there, one of you clowns got OUT OF ORDER.
One more thing.
I would also like to thank the boys from two View Street.
I think you have seen the consequences that may occur and the trouble and inconvenience you cause to other people, and you have made the right decision and will probably get more respect this way.
P.S. Cyber bullying is not very clever, and it is very easy to trace back to where it came from, let’s just say NO to cyber bullying as well.
Take care all.
Jon Leng
Good work Jon, for crunching View with wake-up calls for police, media and DCC. Sets precedents for others to follow in cleaning up City Rise~!!!
[we point out the relatively low cost of CCTV cameras to property owners, worth researching – you can self install to keep labour costs out of it]
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The big Dundas St party advertised on Facebook and elsewhere was supposed to take place on Saturday night (18 July), according to Fairfax journalist Hamish McNeilly who personally knows the ‘host’ –
28.5.15 Stuff: Almost 5000 indicate attendance at Dunedin student party
Any reports? Did the party happen or was it shut down?