Gangs on rise, city warned

Youth gangs will become a major problem in Whangarei if the community ignores the issue, a former gang leader says.
His message comes in the wake of a three-week police operation targeting youth crime and drug issues in the Whangarei city centre that targeted known criminals.
Former gang leader Martin Kaipo, now the Otangarei Youth Sports and Recreation Trust general manager, said youth gangs were present throughout New Zealand and had a growing presence in Whangarei. "If the community does not do something about it we are in trouble as a society as things escalate," Mr Kaipo said. "The community wants to do something about it."
Northland police District Commander Superintendent Viv Rickard said the three-week operation raised police visibility, led to several arrests while there was a sense that the central business district was "safer and owned by the community".
Like other areas in the country, Northland had its share of youth problems and issues, he said. ``We have several `youth groups' in Whangarei and have done for many years. These kids are usually associated with neighbourhood-type groups, and on occasion gather in the CBD. In recent times we have seen few coming into the CBD in any numbers, he said.
Police had noted a "number of groups" in Northland that had "influential persons" in them.
"However, those influential persons are not necessarily involved with gangs as such, although some do choose to wear colours and/or distinctive clothing. Touch wood, we haven't had the huge problems experienced in some other cities in the country. We'll continue our policy of arresting those persons who cause problems in the city centre," Mr Rickard said.
The problem was a community one and police needed to collaborate with schools, businesses, external agencies and the general public to come up with solutions.
Mr Kaipo believed the youths were imitating American street gang culture and were influenced by what they saw on movies, television and video games.
The groups had no structure or solid leadership. "At this stage they're not looking at gang life. They're looking at a group of fellas having fun. They don't understand the hard side that goes with it (gang culture) ... when it comes to the crunch do they know where they're going?"
The young people were looking for leadership and options in life that the community and parents needed to provide. "People don't want to get involved because of the stigma the gang environment has. There's some good things that happen in the scene but there is some bad stuff.
"We need to offer these young people opportunities to make a change. Everyone plays a part in that jig-saw puzzle."
Whangarei Alternative Education co-ordinator Isopo Samu supported the message and believed effective programmes were needed to get young people on track. Students attending alternative education centres he runs are banned from wearing gang-related clothing, like bandannas.
"I think it just comes down to people setting boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not.
"Walk down town and listen to the language of these kids. How many people turn around and say that's not acceptable?"