Stance on Gangs by no means giving up

The recent release of CCTV footage of the gang shooting at a Wairoa service station in October last
year has prompted Wairoa District Council to remind the people of the district that the matter has not
been forgotten.

A well-attended public meeting last year displayed overwhelming opposition to the idea of banning
patches, resulting in a decision by council not to create a by-law against wearing gang insignia.

Instead, it was decided to direct resources into youth, with the specific aim of reaching the young
people before they took up the gang way of life.

Mayor Les Probert stands by the decision.

“Comments have been made in the national media that council has given up, but this couldn’t be
further from the truth. Banning patches is a superficial, antagonistic measure that has more impact as
a politicial statement than anything else.
Our approach of targeting youth to dissuade them from taking the gang path is real and will have
more,far reaching results,” he said.

Work and training programmes such as Community Max and Taskforce Green are examples of joint
initiatives that have provided opportunities for young people who might otherwise have chosen a gang
lifestyle.

“Gangs are a part of this community, as they are a part of many communities within New Zealand.
Wairoa has been unfairly tarnished as a gang town – we welcome anyone to come, visit and see that
we are a normal country town in a beautiful area of the country, facing the same issues as any other
place,” he said.