Directed Storytelling - Retailers

I used Directed Storytelling as an alternative to a formal interview in which participants may feel slightly pressured and anxious to give the "right" answer. Storytelling allows the participant to provide rich insights and personal experiences in a casual conversation format. I found I genuinely gathered a more honest opinion of Dominion Road from those I talked to, and was rewarded with a "raw" recount of information.

On this day I talked with three chosen retail workers (in exchange for buying a small item) from the following stores:

-Sushi Cafe

-Liquor Store

-Miscellaneous Asian sweets store

None of my participants wished to be photographed.

The most interesting stories and insights came from the owner of Sushi Cafe who had owned the store for 17 years:

-Was mugged personally by two "short" 13 year old boys in a dark side street while walking to work in dark side street, neighbours watched as she screamed as she lost her handbag to the thugs. Now always drives to work due to fear of memory.

-Claimed burgulars enter restaurants at 4am (closing time) with handguns to take cash as it is being counted (Balmoral Intersection is crime hotspot)

-Chinese locals leave cars outside to be stolen to save house being intruded

-Very scared of burgulars, claims over 250 houses on Dominion Road have been robbed

-Always sees broken glass around the road

The two girls at the Liquor and Sweet stores also shared a few interesting points:

-Told by manager never to leave valueables on shop counter or in parked car for safety

-Police patrols help reduce fear slightly, still don't feel safe

-Bus stops closer to Mt Roskill prone to "druggies" and creeps who edge their way cautiously to girls then run if bus arrives

-Liquor store girl claimed Balmoral Intersection wasn't so bad (uneducated or sheltered?)

Key Insights:

-Different stores face different risks, but all retailers aware of danger and poor security

-Nobody feels comfortable walking in the dark, even locals

-The danger is not percieved as I had suspected, but very real and ever present

-Opportunity for "good" community to band together and fight aginst petty crime