Police say Wanganui’s gang patch ban is working - 29/07/2010Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws today said that he is “very tempted to say ‘I-told-you-so’ – and I probably will” after the NZ Police today published a report on the ‘Wanganui District Council (Prohibition of Gang Insignia) Act 2009’
The report is available on the Police website
Police report “that the bylaw has contributed to:
- overt gang presence being less noticeable by the general public
- a reduction in levels of intimidation for the community
- a reduction in confrontation between gangs.”
Along with other effective Police actions this has led to an estimated 15% fall in the number of gang members in Wanganui.
“ This official Police report backs up the anecdotal evidence that we are gathering at the council,” says Mayor Laws. “The bylaw has given the Police a power that allows them to target gangs and gang associates more effectively. Gangs are starting to vacate our city – that’s a brilliant result. It is a lot easier elsewhere for these criminals.”
“ I faced enormous and vociferous opposition on this issue but here is the proof. Our city is safer, our communities are breathing easier and Wanganui is the family-friendly city that we know it to be.”
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