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December 15, 2022
Let’s do something meaningful to prevent youth crime
Martyn Bradbury
Posted On December 15, 2022
Let’s do something meaningful to prevent youth crime
We have allowed crime drenched news headlines designed for ratings to dominate the debate over youth crime and ram raiding.
The natural anger and we fear we feel towards youth crime is being fueled by corporate media and manipulated by get-tough-on-crime politicians.
Right now we have ended up in a situation where ACT screams ankle bracelets on 11 year olds while National cries back they should be put on 10 year olds!
How is that a debate?
I am not interested in punitive punishment that is counter productive and I have little energy for the blame game.
Our vulnerable and damaged mokopuna deserve better than that, they deserve leadership and hope.
Let’s focus on solutions.
Right now there are 5000 wards of the state and young people in guardianship transitioning into self reliance.
Wards of the state are looked after and cared for in state funded welfare until they hit 18 and then they are just pushed out.
We have less than 200 beds put aside for these transitioning youth, which leaves 4800 who risk homelessness.
It’s like we are handing recruits to the gangs!
One thing we could do is make it illegal for these state agencies to release wards of the State unless they have secure housing.
That would do far more to reduce youth crime than putting ankle bracelets on children.
Martyn Bradbury
Editor – TheDailyBlog.nz
twitter.com/CitizenBomber
Radio Waatea and its board would like to advise that the opinions expressed in this article are those of Martyn ‘Bomber Bradbury’ and not necessarily the views of Radio Waatea, its Management or its Board.
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