Funding Cuts Will Spark Crime Wave: Youth Group
Auckland should prepare for a new crime wave as NZ$3 million (FJ$4.4m) of spending on crime and gang prevention comes to an end this month, youth workers say.
Up to eight programmes across the city will have to close because they no longer fit the criteria in a new government funding model, and providers are worried for the young people they will no longer be able to reach. The cuts come as the city grapples with a spate of aggravated robberies on dairies and small businesses.
A senior worker from one of the programmes, who did not want to be named, told the cuts were a recipe for disaster - and a recipe for offending.
His staff had years of experience in a tricky field and had built vital, trusted relationships with young people and their families, he said.
The chief executive of the Strive Community Trust, Sharon Wilson Davis, said she was distraught when she learnt the Trust’s gang intervention programme, Breakthru, would not have its contract renewed.
The recent robberies only added to her worries, she said.
“I have real concerns for our community with everything that’s going on here now and what that’s likely to look like after June when we’re gone,” she said.
Ms Wilson-Davis said she had received good feedback about the programme that tried to give troubled young people a new purpose with education and work.
West Auckland’s Te Whanau O Waipareira had a NZ$1m (FJ$1.5m) plus crime prevention programme for youth in the area which would now have to end.
Chief executive John Tamihere said there would be an increase in crime over the next three to five years as a direct result.
“If you continue to pull this funding out of the community... you will get more traffic going to the Police and Corrections,” he said.