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Download AudioA community organiser says National’s approach to gangs is hyper-masculine and bound to fail.
Party leader Christopher Luxon has promised to outlaw public display of gang regalia and give police greater powers to disrupt their activities.
Denis O’Reilly, a life member of Black Power, says current Police Commissioner, Andy Coster knows you can’t arrest your way through social problems.
He says Government and Police are taking a smart approach with the tools they have now.
“They’ll get on top of this Auckland trouble quite quickly I suggest. Conversely, the Nats are being dumb on crime. The very things they are promoting have been tried and proven to be ineffective and in fact they product unanticipated consequences – gang numbers rise and whatever,” Mr O’Reilly says.
He says National’s police spokesperson Mark Mitchell’s criticism of outgoing Police Minister Poto Williams reek of misogyny, that women can’t do the tough work of policing.
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