Manukau Indian Association Press Release
Community leaders met with Police and Corrections Minister Judith Collins today at her office at Papakura to express their deep concern with regards to the growing violence in South Auckland. The leadership was unanimous in stating that the Police do an excellent job once they attend a crime incident but at this stage they were not happy with the delays in the Police reaching a crime scene. The Minister was apprised of the low confidence level of the small businesses and requested for increasing the police numbers even if that meant additional recruitment.
The leaders stated that they would be running a petition for harsher penalties for lower age offenders – the ones who are leading the crime stats currently.
While the Minister acknowledged the issues at hand, she advised the attendees that further measures are being taken to get better handle of the situation. Councillor Calum Penrose shared the concerns and expressed his desire for a continued dialogue. National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi advised that the government is coming down heavy on the gangs – the root cause of many of these crimes.
The community leaders hailed the Minister for her tough stances in the past and also requested that some laws be imposed to stop operation of dairies and liquor stores beyond 7 pm and with minimal operation hours on weekends.
The community will be canvassing for a nationwide support to seek commensurate justice. A national meeting is being organised on 11th June 2016 in South Auckland.
Among those who the meeting was were Prithipal Singh, Bhikhu Bhana, Beant Singh, Mohanpal Singh, Jasbir Singh Dhillon, Anita Badwal and Veer Khar
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