May 25, 2014
Gang peace plan needs support
A long standing Black Power member says politicians need to get behind a move by Black Power and the Mongrel Mob to end decades of enmity.
Dennis O’Reilly says the initiative by senior gang leaders has significant support from Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples and senior police officers.
Others including Police Minister Anne Tolley still link gangs to crime and other antisocial acts, but they need to look beyond that and deal with people as members of whanau and community.
"To some degree the gang is irrelevant and the answer isn’t going to be found in the gang. The answer is going to be found in the community with people acting respectably and respectfully. It’s about behaviours, it’s not about affiliation, you could have more scarves than a Morris dancer if you want to but it’s what you do rather than what you wear and who you affiliate with," Mr O’Reilly says.
A television report on the peace talks has been greeted with relief by gang members, including some in prison who say they are sick of looking over their shoulders.
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