Key acts to calm crime fears
PM says open letter to Chinese community prompted in part by concerns of vigilante action
An open letter from Prime Minister John Key to the Chinese community about burglaries was partly prompted by concerns people would start arming themselves to defend themselves and their property.
Key’s letter was sent to four Chinese newspapers this week. It was a modified version of a column he wrote for about 30 ethnic media outlets.
Key said it was aimed at reassuring those communities the Government was taking the issue of crime seriously.
“There has been a little bit of discussion amongst some in the community about people sort of taking the law into their own hands and basically arming themselves and I think we’re trying to give them reassurance that’s not a good thing to do,” Key said.
“They should leave that in the hands of the police.”
The Prime Minister would not like to see people arming themselves because it could put people at more risk.
He said crime was often raised with him by people from ethnic communities. High-profile burglaries or assaults sometimes prompted concern that an ethnic group was vulnerable or being targeted.
“It’s always an issue and there are a lot of smallbusiness and retail owners, or people who work in areas that face the community, taxi drivers and the like, and they do see a degree of crime.”
Key said his column was modified into an open letter at the request of one of the media outlets. The letter said people in the Chinese community said they were “scared and concerned for their safety”.
HFor video of John Key addressing concerns, go to nzherald.co.nz
Key said he himself had been burgled three or four times “and I know what an invasive and disturbing experience this can be”.
The letter said police were now putting more focus on preventing and resolving burglaries and from this Thursday would treat it as a priority, including a goal of attending every burglary scene.
“I would like to reassure you National remains as focused as ever on preventing crime and helping to keep our communities safe,” Key said.
The Government has been under pressure over low resolution rates for burglaries.
The Herald’s Hitting Home investigation in March reported that last year the national burglary resolution rate was a record low 9.3 per cent and on average 164 burglaries a day were unresolved.
Police Minister Judith Collins said the new directive for officers to attend every single household burglary showed “police are serious about tackling burglary and also sends a clear message to offenders”.
The move will see burglaries become a “priority offence”.
Previously, the property crimes were considered a “volume crime” and not classed as needing immediate response.
“Given the nature of policing there will be occasions where they cannot attend a dwelling burglary for a range of reasons, including adhering to the wishes of the victim,” said Collins.
“However, the Commissioner of Police has made his expectations clear.
“Police have assured me that they continue to make burglary a priority with ongoing work in every district to reduce this crime type while also focusing on increasing resolution rates.” In reply to a rant regarding indicating at the Panmure roundabout: my husband and I were driving back on the Northern expressway before the Puhoi tunnel at 10.45pm on a Saturday, with no cars in sight, when my husband changed from the fast lane to the slow lane. Out of nowhere flashing lights appeared and we received a $150 fine for not indicating. Crazy, as we presented no danger at all. NZ police, position yourself on the Panmure roundabout, where there is a problem — you will make a fortune. Robyn Yesterday in the pouring rain a young schoolgirl knocked on our front door to tell us a car parked in front of our house had its lights left on. I explained that it belonged next door. I offered her an umbrella as she had no coat. She declined the offer and, with a smile, went next door. What a charming and community-minded young person. Mike I would like to have a huge rant to the person who was in too much of a hurry to stop and let a mother duck with ducklings right behind her cross the road safely. It only took 10 seconds to stop and let them get safely across the road outside the old picture theatre in Helensville. Gary