Cyclone-hit communities have set up road-blocks and reported theft and being threatened with firearms - while police and politicians insist there has been no spike in crime.
But regardless of statistics, the fear and sense of abandoment in affected communities is real.
Whirinaki resident Louise Parsons decided to do something about it, and called politicians and police representatives to listen to her community at Crab Farm Winery in Napier last night, where it was standing room only.
She spoke to Kim Hill.
