by Vinepa Aiono (copied from article written on www.1stpacific.co.nz website)
There's a lot of nonsense being heralded about the place that more police on the streets would lower crime. That police are needed to patrol and respond to any crisis within the community is essential. We have suffered already from silly 'call out' responses from the police call centre that led to the death of a young woman some years ago in west Auckland. But we need more intelligent discussion in this area around policing. Many would argue that the presence of more police would lower the crime rate. It doesn't. For example the fight against obesity isn't won by making fruits more available in the western world. Similarly the fight against crime needs to be won within the conscience of a community and sadly it begins in the home - the place many of us refer to as the basic unit for all life - the family.
Attitudes, values, our culturalisms are what will lower the crime rate. We need to encourage our communities to take first responsibility with those we bring into the world as well as others less fortunate than ourselves. How is it that a multitude of young people can gather over 4 days at the Parachute Festival every year and no arrests are made??? Yes we can call it a religious christian thing and dismiss it as simply that. But we need to ask ourselves more seriously about the values that youth at the Parachute Festival have that prevents crime taking place and how we can learn from this.
Family is the best starting point because unless we possess the positive tools to impart pro-social behaviour, we will be raising a nation of misfits who believe it is their right to graffitti their neighbours fence or smash property for the sake of a quick buzz.
Police are required to respond to crises and other incidents where a preventative measure against crime is necessary. But the community must take responsibility for their young and not lose that right to the state. The state can never love our young, the state does not love our youth, the state can say it cares - but I know the difference between being cared for - without being loved. It's like sitting in hospital and being tended to by strangers. The state should only supplement us with services in a crisis situation and in that way support us to raise great citizens for public service.
