Local community figure expresses uncertainty over effectiveness of additional law enforcement in addressing ongoing gang turmoil
In a bid to maintain public safety, the police have conducted three vehicle searches in Hawke's Bay as part of the ongoing gang conflict warrant. The searches were carried out in Napier, Hastings, and Wairoa, with the aim of seizing firearms, weapons, and vehicles from suspected gang members.
The gang conflict warrant was initially issued following a series of gang-related shootings in Levin that began on August 18. Its scope has now been extended to cover Manawatu, a move that came after police were fired upon twice in two days in Palmerston North.
Inspector Dean Clifford expressed gratitude for the public's support during the ongoing enquiries into recent incidents.
Henare O'Keefe, a community worker in the township of Flaxmere, has been voicing his concerns about the Government's crackdown on gangs. He believes that deploying more police will do little to address the underlying causes of gang conflict. O'Keefe continues to criticize the Government's approach as a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
Two serious assaults have occurred in the Hawke's Bay region, believed to be linked to the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs. However, O'Keefe does not believe there has been an increase in gang-related violence in the area.
O'Keefe suggests that gangs prefer to operate under the radar to avoid notoriety. He believes that the desire for love and a sense of value is the root cause of gang membership. According to O'Keefe, gangs provide a sense of love and importance to their members.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in the United States has recommended viewing strong parenting and nurturing homes as key to preventing gang membership. O'Keefe shares this view, believing that stronger parenting and nurturing homes are the key to addressing gang conflict.
A 39-year-old man from Camberley was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon in Hawke's Bay. Despite the ongoing tensions, O'Keefe described the violence as "sad" and said the real blame lay closer to home.
As the situation unfolds, the police are maintaining a high visibility in Napier, Hastings, and Wairoa to keep people safe. The community, while concerned, continues to support the efforts of the police and community workers like O'Keefe in addressing this complex issue.
