Timaru mayor concerned about gang activity as Rebels move in
Wednesday, 10 May 2023
Concerns about a potential proliferation of gang activity and the impact of drugs on the community have prompted Timaru’s mayor to take action.
Speaking about the arrival of the Rebels gang in his town over the weekend, Nigel Bowen told councillors at Tuesday’s Timaru District Council meeting he did not want any more gangs to become entrenched in the community.
“They are only here as an organised crime group to profit … from basically what is social destruction in our community.”
Bowen asked the council to support him in writing to the Police Minister Ginny Andersen outlining their concerns about an increased gang presence in the community.
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“I know this doesn’t sit with us, but there’s people in the community that look to us for leadership in this space and I guess the tools are limited … but we can advocate for our community.”
Bowen said it was his intention to discuss matters which may not be core council business, but might be something council could help with or offer community support around, during meetings.
On Monday, Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker confirmed police were aware of some activity between two gangs over the weekend, after the Rebels appeared to take over the long-time headquarters of the Devils Henchmen.
New gates have been installed at the Meadows Rd property in Washdyke, and the Rebels insignia is on display. The high gates sporting the Devils Henchmen signage – gone.
Walker said while the activity between the two gangs suggested “some tensions”, police involvement had not been required. However, she said they would have an increased presence in the area to “provide reassurance” to the community.
Responding to the news, Bowen said his message to the Rebels was the same he had for the Head Hunters when they arrived in town in 2021 – “They are not welcome here”.
Councillor, and former police officer, Peter Burt told his fellow councillors there had been a 700% increase in gang membership and that “disaffected people our there are looking for somewhere to be relevant”.
Burt said the Rebels operated under a more covert strategy than the gangs of the past “because they’ve got a business to run”.
“The Rebels are another franchised gang from Australia that are part of this 501 franchising that’s gone through the country …
“If you tie it with some of the increases in petty crime that’s really creeping in to our community at the moment, you’ll see there’s a correlation directly with the supply quantity and availability of drugs.”
Cr Burt suggested the council arrange a meeting with Walker, so they could better understand what was happening in the community.
“From what I understand, from the guys on the ground, we’re gonna get a different flavour for exactly what’s happening out there,” he said of the arrival of Walker.
Bowen said while he had met with Walker, he supported the idea of asking her to meet with all councillors.
The council supported Bowen writing to the police minister to raise the concerns of the community.
Meanwhile, the diggers rolled in at the former long-time headquarters of the Road Knights, and latterly the Head Hunters, on Wednesday morning to start demolition.
By mid-morning demolition of the former gang headquarters was well under way.
In March, it was confirmed the High St properties had been sold to Timaru Developments Ltd. The company’s directors are well-known South Canterbury businessmen Gary Rooney, and Ryan de Joux.