Council to consider measures to deal with gang activties - 9/03/2006Gang behaviour, patches/colours and fortifications will be the focus of an extraordinary meeting of the Wanganui District Council on Friday, March 10.
Recent gang-related incidents in Wanganui have prompted the Council to discuss ways of regulating gang behaviour and activities. Mayor Michael Laws has already proposed that gang patches and colours be outlawed in the Central Business District (CBD).
Tomorrow's Council meeting will discuss a range of options to deal with gangs. The issues up for discussion include:
- A review of standards of behaviour in the Central Business District, resulting from intimidation of citizens by people wearing gang regalia in the CBD and the heightened potential for conflict between opposing gang factions.
- Provision of powers to have offenders removed from the CBD by not allowing gang members to wear patches and colours in the CBD.
- Further investigation of whether a bylaw is the most appropriate way of addressing the gang issue, with a report to be prepared for the Council's Strategy Committee meeting on March 23.
- A review of the Wanganui District Plan, focussing on gang fortifications and structures.
Police Association President Greg O'Connor and Wanganui Police acting area commander Senior Sergeant Duncan MacLeod will attend the meeting. It starts at 3pm in the Council Chamber. |
