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Archived Press Releases 2008 6th April 2008

THE PUBLIC INCLUDING MAORI HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF CRIME AND WANT A VIGOROUS CRACK DOWN NOW.

(6th April 2008)

Politicians with a soft approach to criminal offenders will not be governing our country after the forthcoming elections, says the Sensible Sentencing Trust Maori Issues Spokeswoman.

Sensible Sentencing Trust Maori Crime issues specialist Kelly Te Heuheu says it's time the pampering and support of criminal offenders is stopped. It is loud and clear that people throughout Aotearoa have had enough of any politician with a soft approach to crime. We have a country in crisis, we are sick of the politicians who are playing it down. Safety and security must be highest on any political agenda.

We don't want politicians and public servants who are lovers of criminals and gangs and hell bent on lashing out at anyone demanding harsher punishment and containment of criminal offenders. The very ones who lash out, the politicians and public servants who go to any length to support, pamper and protect criminals are the ones we want to get rid of!

They must go, the sooner the better, they are not wanted!

Any criminal offender no matter what age must be bought to justice whether they be children or adults, for the safety of the public. We must lower the age of criminal responsibility now!

Winston Peter's concerns many years ago on immigration matters were ignored by politicians and he was called all the names under the sun. Now where are we at?

This ignorance has come back to bite us disastrously. The Asian gang lords are well established now. In every corner of our country there is a thriving and lucrative drug trade. While we sleep they move through the country inflicting upon us the deadly plague behind our crime filled existence. With the combination of alcohol, "P" and other harsh drugs violent crime is getting worse. Why? Because of ignorance!! NZ First have for years been vigorously vocal and adamant about legislation against crime while other policiticians have turned their back on us, the very people who they serve and pay their wages.

Lives have been cut short, the domestic violence rate has escalated, and criminal offending against people and property is a reality now. Because of ignorance and playing down the situation by politicians NZ has an extremely high violent crime rate and an apalling number of road deaths caused by repeat offenders. The weapon may be different but the result is the same. An innocent life is taken!

Stop making excuses!! New Zealanders have had it with crime! If you can't keep the country safe go we don't want you!

Being an election year the very politicians who have ignored the cries of New Zealanders are now coming out with great promises. Why now! Have you been asleep since the last elections? Will you keep your promises?

Stop treating New Zealanders like fools. We are now screening and scrutinizing every politician in the forthcoming elections.

Regards,

Kelly Te Heuheu
Maori Crime Issues Specialist,
Taupo Co-ordinator and Media Spokeperson
Sensible Sentencing Trust
Aotearoa
Email kteh@ihug.co.nz