May 07, 2008

'Could we all please have our streets back?'

By David Clarkson

She was the last speaker of the night, but judging from the applause, she posed a question that many had come to ask: ?Could we all please have our streets back??

When someone handed her a microphone at the end of tonight?s meeting on crime in Christchurch, she said she was a normal woman trying to live in the city.

?I?m sick to death of all the noise, the wheelies, the intimidation. It goes on weekend after weekend, night after night.?

It was useless to make a place for young drivers to carry out their antics.

?Their biggest thrill is breaking the road laws, causing as much noise as possible, and intimidation of others and I have had a gutsful of it.?

Her comments were applauded at the meeting of hundreds at the Town Hall?s Limes Room, brought together to discuss the city?s crime problems by National Party list MP Nicky Wagner.

It heard from politicians, the Sensible Sentencing Trust, the Christchurch police, and the victims of crime, and from people who just came along to have something to say.

It was a meeting full of diverse views which brought some unexpected reactions.

Member of Parliament Ron Mark got a round of applause when he berated gangs and their culture and said he would do everything he could to eliminate them.

But there was also applause for lawyer Nigel Hampton who criticised the media for its emphasis and over-reporting of violent crime. Others suggested Mr Hampton?s address should be cut short.

There was a warm reception for the man who said there was no respect any more and the issue was about bringing up kids the right way.

But there was also applause for the speakers from the floor who wanted more liberal drug laws.

Mayor Bob Parker said he had heard from elderly people who felt unsafe in their homes or walking in the city at night. Their fears were both well founded and unfortunate. ?How do we change the reality and perception?? he asked.

What emerged from the two hours of addresses was a series of initiatives and ideas:

The police are under way with Operation Crusader with higher visibility foot patrols, enforcement of the liquor ban, and a zero tolerance approach to disorder to send a clear message.
The city council is about to review its alcohol policy and by-laws, and may consider enforcing a 1am closed-door policy at bars so that when patrons leave they cannot go to other premises.
Other areas might be considered for liquor bans, said Councillor Bob Shearing.
The leap in the number of liquor outlets is a concern.
The city council and the police will set up and man more surveillance cameras in problem areas.
The police?s view is that alcohol is the key generator of most crime on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Garth McVicar of the Sensible Sentencing Trust said criminal justice policies in New Zealand had swung too far in favour of the offender, and away from the victims of crime. New Zealanders had been ?treated as puppets in a disastrous social experiment? and were now reaping the rewards.

He was critical of the culture of social welfare, parole provisions, and family group conferences which he described as ?the biggest disaster this country has ever implemented?.

He called for a tough new approach to imprisonment policies, in line with overseas practices that have reduced crime, and he criticised the anti-smacking legislation.

The meeting clearly voiced it support for the police and its sympathy for the victims of crime and their families. The crowd stood for a minute?s silence to remember the victims.