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Archived Press Releases 2007 9th May 2007

CALL FOR HARSHER PENALTIES FOR GANG VIOLENCE

(9th May 2007)

Extreme gang violence must be met with extreme and harsh penalties including; no parole, long sentences, no gang association and no gang patches, says the Sensible Sentencing Trust Maori issues spokesman.

Kelly Te Heuheu, recently appointed spokesman for the law and order lobby group said she also has a message to the so-called leaders of our country.
"NOW WHAT? You had your chance time after time to do something about gang association in the past? Excuses – excuses and more excuses!"

Ms. Te Heuheu also said that deterrence and prevention measures are long overdue! "The longest gang warfare in Aotearoa is now a reality with the killing of a tamariki and mokopuna - now what is the government going to do?"

"The Government must take urgent action now and legislate deterrence measures above all excuses relating to gang association and patches. Or will human rights and the Bill of Rights still cloud their common sense?"

Kelly said that for too long governments have said how sad or unfortunate when these murders happen – but in reality they have sat on their butts and done nothing!

“This little girl died in a stupid war over gang territory and stupid gang nonsense.”

“Gang violence must be met with very severe penalties – that is the only thing these gangsters understand.”

Regards,

Kelly Te Heuheu
Sensible Sentencing Trust
Maori Issues Spokesperson,
Aotearoa