Cops armour up as violence flares
Officers carry guns after two men die in rising gang rivalry
Armed officers wearing body armour are being deployed in Tauranga as police step up their response to increased gang rivalry and violent crime in the Bay of Plenty.
Police Minister Stuart Nash said the escalated response was a temporary measure aimed at tackling the latest flare up between gangs. It also comes the day after two men where shot dead at a property in Omanawa.
“Expect to see police openly carrying their Bushmaster rifles and Glock pistols. Expect to see police wearing their new body armour.
“Expect to see the Eagle helicopter in the air. Expect to see police executing search warrants at gang properties and stopping vehicles carrying gang members and associates,” the minister said.
A homicide inquiry started after two bodies were found at a home on Ormsby Lane, in Omanawa near Tauranga, on Tuesday evening.
Witnesses described running for their lives as gunshots ripped through the home just after 7.30pm.
Among those fleeing was a child as armed police swarmed to the residence, where they stood guard overnight. Police were last night still looking for those responsible.
The deaths are the latest in a rise in crime after the notorious Mongols Motorcycle Club moved into the area.
Their arrival stoked simmering tensions with established Tauranga gangs like the Greazy Dogs and the Mongrel Mob, with police warning that the newcomers — hardened from inter-gang warfare with firearms — would radically change the criminal landscape.
Tuesday’s deaths were the latest in a series of brazen shootings involving semi-automatic firearms, with a suspected arson along a row of the Bay of Plenty shops last month.
Nash said the Government was pouring more resources in policing the Bay of Plenty, targeting gangs and organised crime.
“Just yesterday police announced 10 arrests in a transnational drug syndicate responsible for importing vast quantities of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs”.
An extra 91 fulltime police officers are now working across the district, a boost after numbers fell under the previous government, Nash said.
“What’s happening there is happening all around the country.
Since March last year police have seized more than 2000 illegal firearms from gangs and other criminals.”
Nash wants tougher penalties for gun crime and has challenged National Party leader Simon Bridges to support new gun laws in a parliamentary vote next week.
Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell said it was time for the local community and iwi to gather for a hui and discuss the problems.
“I’m keen for a hui, a ko¯rero around what’s going on, how we understand this and how we can manage this going forward. But we can’t do that in isolation of central Government.
“It’s time for these two main parties to stop snarking at each other over the issue. This is not the time, under any circumstances, for petty politics.”
“This isn’t affecting this area alone. This is happening in Napier, it happens all over the country.”
Powell said he’s received a “torrent” of messages from scared and angry locals after the latest shooting.
“What I’m most worried about is that at some stage, if this continues at this frequency and aptitude, someone’s going to get caught in the crossfire.”
Meanwhile, police have also stepped up their numbers in Palmerston North and Levin as they appeal for information following gangrelated incidents.
On Saturday about 7pm, a firearm was reportedly discharged on Clyde Crescent, Palmerston North.
Only two days later, shots were reportedly fired from a vehicle at a property on McKenzie St, Levin, about 2am, which was followed by a similar incident about 11pm on Goldsmith Cres.
Inspector Sarah Stewart, Manawatu Area Commander, said police want to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in those areas at those times.
“We are absolutely committed to holding those responsible to account.
While we believe there is no risk to the wider public, we have deployed extra police staff into the area,” she said.
“We can’t do it alone, so please, if you have seen anything contact police. And if you see something suspicious or feel unsafe, call us immediately on 111.”