Gang patches

I grew up in Central Hawke’s Bay, then I lived in Palmerston North for nearly 30 years. I watched the gangs move from the city centre in Palmerston North to the outskirts of town.

This was due to a bylaw put in place by the city council - gang patches were not to be worn in public and, if so, the wearer would be arrested. This worked a treat and the city felt safer, especially because latenight shopping on Friday and Thursday nights and many young people went into the central city on a Friday night.

Since moving back to Hawke’s Bay, I have noticed the amount of gang patches being worn in public.

My three children will not wear the colour red in Hawke’s Bay but have no problem wearing this colour anywhere else they live or have lived, e.g. Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North. I find it really sad that this weighs on young people’s minds as to what colour to wear when they get up in the morning.

Something needs to be done about these gangs to keep this beautiful part of the country feeling like a safe and warm place to live as well as visit. B Butler, Hastings.