Cultures unite to rid Auckland of crime

South Auckland crime protests will hit Queen Street prior to the election, says the chairman of the Asian Anti-Crime Group, Peter Low.

Low expects the marches to take place in October and is keen to get the message across to the major parties that Asians, Maori and Pacific Islanders are united against crime.

“Whatever party gets in power, we are going to lobby to make the law tougher,” says Low, who wants to see tougher sentencing, tighter parole conditions and a greater police presence across Auckland.

Low has courted controversy by suggesting that vigilantes linked to his group were in training to stop a recent spate of violent attacks in the Manurewa region. The victims were largely from the Asian community.

“If you look at the original definition of vigilante, it comes from America where communities had to form groups to protect themselves as the government was unable to do so,” says Low.

However, Low no longer sees a need for vigilantes as he believes the police and other authorities have reacted to his concerns.

Manurewa National Party Candidate, Dr Cam Calder, agrees it is a government’s first duty to keep its citizens safe.

“There is a huge concern about personal safety in Manurewa,” says Dr Calder, who took on the electorate of Manurewa three months ago.

The problem is not just South Auckland’s, but an issue for the whole of New Zealand, he says.

“It is shameful that there are sections in New Zealand’s largest urban area where people need to be so concerned.”

Dr Calder says there are a number of reasons for the recent Manurewa attacks.

“In my layman’s opinion, the police are undermanned,” he says, with reference to patrols in Manurewa being reduced by three officers a few months ago.

The underlying causes of crime are also a concern for Dr Calder.

There are a great deal of families in Manurewa who lack a sense of purpose or feeling of belonging, he says.

It is these families, according to Dr Calder, that become involved with gangs which have caused a “ripple” of disturbance throughout the Manurewa area.

Dr Calder also wants more emphasis on retaining the traditional nuclear family and believes that tax breaks for married couples can reduce the number of single parent families in the area.

Low and Dr Calder agree that it is important for young people to be educated and inspired so they do not become involved in gangs and crime.

“The challenge is to unlock the ambition that lies within anyone,” says Dr Calder, who supports youth enterprise schemes in the area.

Low now wants the police to be proactive, not reactive, and is proposing a crime education programme in schools that teaches morals, respect and discipline to youngsters.