A CONFLICT of ideas is dividing local Asian anti crime groups in their response to recent killings of Asian New Zealanders in Manukau, despite agreement on many issues.
A petition targeted at the Chinese community is being printed in the New Zealand Chinese Herald in coming weeks calling for tougher sentences and a new community safety act. The petition is being promoted by the Asian Council on Reducing Crime (ACRC).
At the same time, another organisation, the Asian Anti-crime Group (AAG) is leading a protest march in Botany on Saturday, also intended to lobby parliament for stronger sentences.
But the AAG came in for criticism last week after talking tough on defence and crime, and suggesting members would use martial arts or create their own anti-crime network.
AAG founder Peter Low says his organisation has already begun training people in martial arts style self-defence, and maintains the law is a “joke”.
“We are living in a dangerous state. We are not safe in the street, we are not safe in the supermarket, even in our own homes.”
He says people have misunderstood the vigilance promoted by the AAG.
“A vigilante group is formed when the police are failing to protect people. We will use our force and even weapons if we have to,” he says.
“We are in danger. Police ask us not to fight back. But our life is more important than the law.”
Yet the ACRC sought to distance itself from that attitude. Chairperson Rosa Chow supports “anybody standing up against crime” but calls the AAG’s approach “not the most ideal”.
“We are concerned at people taking the law into their own hands,” she says. “We are not part of the vigilantes.”
Inspector Andrew Coster of Howick police says he has had some initial discussions with the AAG, but could not comment on what was talked about.
“It’s very early days for them and what they’re doing. Their thinking is at an early stage,” he says.
Mr Coster says police are careful who they associate with, but welcome any contribution that fits with the police strategies for safer communities and does not put people in unnecessary danger.
The ACRC petition calls for two steps to be taken.
The first is for a new ‘Community Safety Act’ to change the law. The second is to introduce tougher penalties for offenders, including no bail, parole or home detention for violent or repeat offenders, and “truth in sentencing”.
“Currently the Bill of Rights has given too much freedom and we need to counterbalance that effect,” says Ms Chow of the 1990 legislation.
“It is not a mere coincidence that three fatal incidents happened in Auckland in just nine days. We feel they reflect a fall in standards of community safety in New Zealand.
“All three victims were ordinary law-abiding Asian New Zealanders. In our opinion these crimes illustrate the vulnerability of weaker groups and a worsening of law and order.”
She says previous protests and petitions have fallen on deaf ears while threats to personal safety have increased.
“We believe the crux of the problem is the current legal system,” she says.
“For our own sake and for that of our children and grandchildren, it is time to act.”
