Police are investigating an incident where a ‘spike trap’ of glass was allegedly laid out on Dundas Street close to Studholme at midnight on Saturday, August 17th. Residents living close to the mess said that it appeared like an entire blue bin had been emptied onto the road. Four police cars were in attendance at the incident, blocking off the road from both sides while the incident was dealt with.
“Police received a report of a disorder on Dundas Street at around 11.55 pm on Saturday 17 August. Police attended and spoke to the parties involved, enquiries into the matter are ongoing. The Council was advised, and contractors were notified.”
Students Ben and Jeremy were hosting at a nearby flat at the time. Ben told Critic, “It was just a shitload of glass on the road – enough that they had to close the entire street.” Naturally, the cops speculated about their involvement. “The cops just banged on our door and asked if it was us – and that was it,” said Ben. The pair agreed that the cop who spoke to them “was real fucked off, aye?” Couldn’t imagine why.
Their flat denies any involvement. While Ben had “no idea” where the glass might have come from, he pointed the hypothetical finger at a neighbouring flat as a possible suspect. The flat, where the glass was “right in front of”, hosts pretty often according to Ben: “They get a bit rowdy [...] They’re always taking their shirts off at that flat. They’re always like half naked.”
Nothing pisses off local authorities (or cyclists) like broken glass, and according to Ben and Jeremy the incident attracted a decent crowd of them. There were apparently two cop cars parked across the road, four or five “actual cops” cruising around, as well as a Campus Watch presence.
The Proctor wasn’t aware of the incident when Critic Te Ārohi asked for comment. “However, the University encourages students to be mindful of others and avoid breaking glass in North Dunedin as it creates a hazard for those we share the community with.” Pour one out for the cyclists out there.
Police re-affirmed that “while Police want everyone to have a good time, we also want you to keep yourselves and your mates safe. Police have a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol-related offending and social harm.” It remains unconfirmed whether the glass was an intentional “spike trap” or not. To quote OUSA’s long-standing anti-glass campaign: Don’t Be a Dick!