[Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith] said over the last five years, gangs have recruited more than 3000 members, which is a 51 per cent increase.
“At the same time, we’ve seen a significant escalation in gang-related violence, public intimidation and shootings, with violent crime up 33 percent.” […]
“Police will be able to issue dispersal notices, which will require gang members to immediately leave the area and not associate with one another for seven days,” Goldsmith said. […]
“The law will also be changed to give greater weight to gang membership as an aggravating factor at sentencing, enabling courts to impose more severe punishments.”
Newshub
The reply:
“It is reactive rather than proactive, when we know that primary prevention aimed at preventing kids from joining gangs by removing the incentives created by deprivation and discrimination in the first place is likely to be more effective.”
[Associate Law Professor Carrie Leonetti] also said she had serious human rights concerns about the proposed legislation.
“It is a serious restriction on the rights of bodily autonomy, freedom of expression, and freedom of association of people who sport tattoos and clothing associated with gangs.”
1News
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