Dave, K' Road Security

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By H Sthompson, [e-mail]

Dave, Karangahape Security, granted this interview on the condition we keep his surname and Iwi private.

However, very few people would not know his face if they have spent any significant time on Karangahape Road.

Dave grew up in Ponsonby and Penrose.

He is the father of three daughters, 82 years old and still working his own security business.

Dave has been securing Karangahape gates and doors for more than 18 years.

“K Road is a place where every one wants to come. But lately things have changed. More people are trouble makers. Shops can’t keep up with shoplifting and are closing down,” says Dave.

“In the last few months lot of people are losing their jobs. There are more and more people on the street. They want to live so they have to take,” says Dave.

Dave starts his day out on the streets from 05:30hrs and patrols until around 15:00hrs. He starts a second shift from 17:00hrs and patrols until early morn’.

“Crime is getting worse, says Dave. One particular building has had three break ins during the last month, yet other than that they haven’t had a burglary in years.”

“I work seven days a week, continues Dave. Due to the recession I lost one company who was 80 percent of my business. For the last ten months I haven’t had much business at all.”

Dave says when he started he was looking for a job and the Building Depot was looking for a security guard. My job was to walk around the warehouse checking people weren’t stealing. He got a job with Chubb Security who was based on K’ Road. Dave wound up working for the American Consulate and has maintained a relationship with K’ Road ever since.

Dave suffered a heart attack a couple of years ago but says he is determined to keep walking.

He lost 22kgs.

“The Doctor told me my legs are the main objective for survival, says Dave. “Legs will keep you alive. Movement, interventions and people. If you sit and don’t move you will die. As long as I can walk I will keep working.”

Listen to the full interview on the K’ Road Chronicle Podcast

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