For more readers views click here:
http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/your-views/2008/6/16/what-should-be-done-control-crime-nz/?c_id=1501154
rossnz (Hamilton)
The police should award police medals to the effective amateur crime fighters in New Zealand. They have solved crimes that Mr Plod the policeman had given up on. The marksman who successfully shot out the tyres of escaping criminals in a remote township was prosecuted instead of being awarded a medal. Today's news is that a caring father in trying to bring peace and clean air to his neighbourhood is to be prosecuted for stopping a boy racer's car in it's tracks with his four wheel drive vehicle. Do the police have so many resources now, that they are able to prosecute the amateur crime fighters in our society?
It is the police who have lost the plot. Don't give me that tired old argument about vigilantes taking the law into their own hands. They were not seeking revenge. They were protecting their rights to enjoy their property in peace, quietness and security. Before the legal system took over the justice system the New Zealand police helped protect our rights. Now they are so busy dotting i's and crossing t's for the picky legal boffins, there is no time left for real policing. The legal profession has a lot to answer for. Justice destroyed, legalities prevail.
ed p (Royal Oak)
Get the army in.
Gordon (Queensland)
So much crime. You can thank all the well meaning childcare experts that have taken, by law, the parents right to diciepline their children.
True their was child abuse but that still happens regardless of the law. what I am talking about is parents who truly love their kids and care about how they turn out. Most children have their brains in their butts and when this is warmed up on occasions of dissobedience it works wonders; I know because I was on the receiving end more than once. Looking back now I deserved it. If my Dad had just allowed me to do as I pleased I'd be in jail now.
PETER GEE (Hong Kong)
For the effective control of crime in NZ one must begin with the immediate re-instatement of the death penalty. NZ must have the highest rate of heinous crime per capita in the civilised world. Young people are out of control in a P-induced haze.
There are simply no role models to speak of, at least none capable of instilling the necessary standards of decency and respect which form the cornerstones of peaceful human interaction. We must endeavour to rid society of violent offenders, drug suppliers and users, paedophiles, financial fraudsters, school bullies and basically anyone that does not conform to the requisite standards of normal human behaviour. The above list of scum must also be forcibly sterilised so that their spawn will not contaminate the offspring of normal law abiding citizens.
To conclude my argument there should also be legalised neighbourhood vigilante groups with authority to maintain peace in their neighbourhoods using whatever means necessary including but not limited to the shooting of any scum seen in their area. This perfect solution is already used in a country which is way superior to the cesspool that is NZ - the People's Republic Of China.
Enough is Enough (Auckland Central)
A crim is a crim. Period. Time for our waste of space we call a government to get rid of the nicey nicey approach. Lock them up where they are entitled to food, shelter and clothing. No TV, no video games, no luxuries. When menial work needs to be done, get them to do it. Offer them wages and then have them pay for their own incarceration. If anyone should be slapped with a wet bus ticket it should be our politicians.
thinking (United States of America)
Street gangs are domestic terrorists. They cause terror in the hearts of people. They are organised. They are organised terrorists. Treat them as such.
Authorise police to infiltrate the gangs, to identify all members of these terrorist organisations and their resources, and to question them. Guarantee their rights. But let them know that the police are keeping a close, watchful eye on them. If they freely, publicly admit membership in gangs, publish their names and faces in newspapers every week, so everyone knows who they are.
If they are in jail, deprive them of TV and radio. Play classical music in prisons until it drives them crazy or until it drives them into being civil, sensitive humans. Only allow them to read uplifting literature.
Censor violence shown in "entertainment" TV shows and movies, and censor violent lyrics in degrading music.
Don't wait until New Zealand ends up like America! Protect your beautiful country from the poison of the decaying nation America and its violent propaganda. Or just wait a few years. until America self-destructs, and the degrading propaganda from mass media becomes a footnote in history.
You can do this. Wake up!
Rod (Albany)
For mercy to have any value "Justice" must come first.
That's why the death penalty must be an option for any government to fulfill its obligation to protect its citizens.
Otherwise we'll see the unfortunate rise of vigilante groups who feel the need to act where government cannot.
Pedropackman (Coromandel)
Time to stop whining, look around a little, ask a few questions, stop blaming others and do something about it. Studying Denmark which has a similarly small population and virtually no crime would be a good place to start.
Lynie (Mangere Bridge)
Crime - It's not about the system - It's about a few bad apples and every culture has them - its about the lack of feeling - these people who commit the crimes - they don't feel - they dont have respect - we are losing the respect of the next generation - and they dont give a damn!
Last week I witnessed my niece telling her mother to shut up and some other four letter words. When my sister told her to be quite or else, my neice turns around and says "what! you cant touch me I'll call the cops!" So there NZ - stop complaining we have taken the rights away from parents and given them to the children. Now when the they commit crimes, it's where were the parents/families.
"NZ has created a bunch of little monsters, now they wanna cry about it"
M Taylor (Lower Hutt)
"Pedropackman (Coromandel) Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland. All happy, free from poverty and virtually crime free nations. What can we do to come up to their standard?"
I've lived there and the quality of life is way better than here. NZ is like Lord of the Flies, a bunch of animals going crazy from island mentality. There is definitely something to be said about living in a country joined to others. It comes with a freedom.
And I think you need to keep in mind that the cold over there keeps people indoors a lot of the time!
Honestly, I think NZers get up to so much trouble because we're so bored. What is there for young people to do? Where are all the youth groups and clubs which should/could be stemming from the school systems? There is no pride in schools (due to lack of proper teams, newspapers, clubs) so they have no pride in their community. And nothing to focus on! On a Saturday night in the Hutt you could either go to the movies, go karting, or bowling. But what about poorer ghetto kids? They can't afford to keep themselves entertained that way, and there isn't the public transport system to take them there anyway!
Idle, bored minds cause trouble.
