Ensure crime does not pay

All too frequently we read about the lack of respect being shown, but the question should be in many circumstances as to why it is tolerated. A report in today’s news states that a group convicted of attacking a person with an axe refused to stand for a judge as he entered his courtroom. That is unacceptable and if allowed simply diminishes the status of the courts, the judges and in the end, that of the entire justice system.

Recently I had to travel in an ambulance and was amazed to hear from the ambulance officer that all too often on arriving to help people they find themselves being threatened and having to call for police assistance.

In cases such as these surely one way is to “fight fire with fire”.

Threaten an ambulance officer and your sentence is doubled. Same if you assault a police officer. Treat a judge with contempt and the severity of the sentence should be ramped up considerably. Yet in New Zealand far too often, we see the perpetrator of the crime virtually become the victim and vice versa. In addition our prisons are like motel accommodation blocks for many of these people. Not much of a deterrent, if at all.

It’s time the justice system sat up and did the job they are paid to do which is to ensure crime does not pay. In many cases today it does, and an equally tough response may be the only answer to these sorts of issues. So be it.

Paul Beck, West Harbour. earthquake, flood or slip zones. A Tower representative thought the Algies Bay property might be in a tsunami zone, not realising it is high on a hillside.

The Tower representative was unable to identify a single property where the premium has reduced.

This has all the hallmarks of an excuse to raise premiums across the board.

Jon Addison, Milford