300 attend debate on gangs

Wednesday, 5 December 2007

A meeting in Timaru last night to discuss recent gang activity attracted more than 300 people.

Meeting organiser Maria Edwards described it as a great turnout, adding she was confident such a response indicated the community could do something about the situation.

Those attending the meeting at the Caroline Bay Hall were a cross-section of the community. Off-duty police, social services and school representatives were seated alongside present and former gang members, church ministers and parents concerned about the consequences of their children's involvement with both the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs.

Chairing the meeting, Timaru mayor Janie Annear urged the meeting to come up with positive ways to deal with the issue, rather than just talk about the situation.

'We need to work smarter together or we will lose the battle. As your mayor I an not willing to lose this battle.'

Tim Russell of Arowhenua Whanau Services said several of his relatives were involved with the gangs, including one who was a patched member.

'He is a really good bloke, but what he brings with him is evil. I don't want my cousin to die, or go to jail for doing something very bad. I don't want people to end up dead.'

One speaker called on the government to stop pussyfooting around and make membership of patched gangs illegal.

Another wanted to see the wearing of gang patches in the district outlawed. Mrs Annear pointed out Wanganui's attempt to do so had been found to be illegal, although legislation was going before Parliament in an attempt to change the law.

Several speakers spoke of the need to support youngsters coming under pressure to join the gangs.

Recognising recruiting was often taking place at, or near schools, Ms Edwards suggested parents take it in turns to watch the school gates before and after school to see who was hanging around.

Other suggestions included a higher police presence in Stafford Street and additional youth workers. Another speaker recommended setting up a community youth grant that could fund scholarships to assist those on the fringes of the gangs -- giving the young people a hand up rather than kicking them down.

Patched Mongrel Mob member Rikki Austin challenged Mrs Annear on statements she has made encouraging people not to rent or sell property to gang members.

'I own my own home in Temuka and I am staying here,' he told the meeting, to which Mrs Annear replied: 'If you are going to threaten and intimidate people you can get the hell out of our town.

'If you are going to break the law we will be down on you like a ton of bricks.

'Have you come here to be constructive or just ot puff your chest out?'

Speaking after the meeting Mrs Annear said the ideas put forward would be further discussed by Project Y -- an initiative between Timaru Safer Communities Committee, police, government departments and social agencies -- to see how they could best be implemented.