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A Mongrel Mob patch -
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Police in Wanganui have a new weapon in the fight against the towns gangs after parliament passed a bill giving the council the right to ban gang insignia in public.
The town has gained a reputation for its gangs but soon Wanganui police officers will have more powers than most to deal with those who don the patch.
The law gives local authorities the power to ban gang patches in public places including the CBD, parks and reserves around the city.
Hell's Angels and Black Power members in Wanganui would not talk to ONE News but one man had plenty to say about the groundbreaking law against gangs.
"Any gang regalia, clothing, patch, you name it anything that's associated with gang membership, gang affiliation, gang support is banned," says delighted Mayor Michael Laws.
And the mayor admits banning gangs from the entire town is more than tempting.
"We've been given sweeping powers and a sweeping responsibility by parliament and we don't intend to abuse that. We're trying to deal with the abuse of 40 years of neglect of the gang problem in New Zealand," he says.
The bylaws will come into force in July and those who breach them could be arrested, fined $2000 and have their coveted gang patches confiscated.
Most locals were pleased with the move but doubted whether it would be effective.
"They're still going to do it, they're still gong to keep wearing them. I would rather know who is walking towards me than not know," one woman said.
And one reformed Mongrel Mob member believes beefing up the law is little more than cosmetic.
"It's not the patch that makes the man, the heart beats under that, whether you've got the patch on or not," says former gang leader Willy McGregor.
But the law is here to stay and the mayor says if the gangs don't like it he will help with the cost of moving them out of town.
The Police Association is welcoming the new law, saying it will help stop gang intimidation and violence in the city. President Greg O'Connor says the bill is not a silver bullet but is useful.
"For too long, gang members have been able to strut and intimidate without any fear of consequence," he says. "The intimidation is deliberate, and directly connected to the gang's power as a criminal organisation."
O'Connor says nationwide rather than regional action is preferable.
"Hopefully, these measures will in time be adopted into a more comprehensive, nationally co-ordinated anti-gang strategy," he says.
Laws expects many other councils to seek similar legislation.
"I've talked to mayors throughout the country who have been waiting for Wanganui's lead. The flow-on effects will be huge," he says.
"New Zealand is saying that gangs are an alien and criminal menace in our midst, that they are home grown terrorists and that our society has had enough."
Close vote
The bill passed 62 to 59 with the crucial backing of three Act MPs - leader Rodney Hide, David Garrett and John Boscawen. Their colleagues Sir Roger Douglas and Heather Roy opposed it as did Labour, the Greens, Maori Party, and Jim Anderton.
The bill was introduced last year by local National MP Chester Borrows on behalf of the local council.
Hide told parliament he was aware his vote was crucial. He remained a libertarian and believed in personal freedoms but that did not mean people could intimidate each other.
"The wearing of a patch on your jacket is intimidation of law-abiding citizens," he decided.
"I am prepared to give the good people of Wanganui the opportunity to make a law so that they can choose how they want to live, and the police can enforce it, and they can live free from the intimidation and fear that they have been suffering.
"They have my vote."
When Act voted for the bill's second reading Hide told a TV show he wanted to promote goodwill with National, hoping the government would continue to support his party's three strikes bill.
But Labour says it is very doubtful the law will work and MP Clayton Cosgrove used the debate to remind Hide of his pledge not to vote for the bill.
He said being a support partner with the government had affected the party's values.
"It appears that the old values in the Act Party they are for sale at whatever cost - it's the free market isn't it?"
Cosgrove said the bill was well intentioned but at the end of the day it was about banning an item of clothing. He said patches could be replaced with a bandana or some other item or gangs would simply gather in areas not affected by the ban.
Cosgrove said the way to get to gangs was through the previous government's bill to strip offenders of criminal proceeds.
Borrows said Wanganui was brave to take its stance given the negative attention it received over the gangs issue.
A community effort
Wanganui District Council, police and the community worked together on the local bill.
"It is not an attempt to outlaw gangs, stop gang offending, or bring about world peace - it is a narrowly focused instrument to stop intimidation by the display of gang insignia - that's it."
Laws said the bill had strong local support and a 2006 referendum which more than 17,000 Wanganui people voted on was two thirds in favour.
He praised Borrows for his efforts and said the bill would be a boost for local people and police.
"It is extraordinarily rare for parliament to give a council these sorts of powers ... it took Wanganui to say 'no more' first. I'm extraordinarily proud of my council, my community and my MP. It took all of us to make this happen."
What do you think of the ban? Do you think it will be effective? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentWaterside said on 2009-05-08 @ 07:39 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good on Michael for being behind this new law. These guys have got away with wearing patches for far too long, it'll be good to see some change. The only reason why they would need to wear these things in public is for intimidation purposes, they represent no good in our society, only violence. Once these things are gone, it's like saying, we are no longer accepting your violence and intimidation tactics in this community.
goodguy said on 2009-05-08 @ 00:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good thing!,,then again, these criminals are easily spotted and avoided with their filthy patches on. I can see them committing more crime now they will not be recognised, but the ugly tattoos may give them away. Don`t know why the army cant deal with these rotten antisocial scumbags once and for all,