Media Release

18 July 2003

Big Brother Not Watching

New Zealand First has called on the Government to provide the Police with the manpower to regain control of our streets.

“While 14 fires are set an $800,000 plus investment in surveillance equipment in central Auckland is unmonitored because Police don’t have the staffing to watch the criminals. At the same time complaints from the victims of burglary and assault wait in queues for Police attention while the trail runs cold. People simply can’t get police assistance when they need it,” said New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark.

“Record surpluses get stored away by this Scrooge-like Government while crime continues to be our major growth industry. Our Police numbers per capita are the second lowest in the OECD. We are importing crime. The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening. The alienation of many of our citizens is accelerating. The Government needs to provide the necessary Police personnel and resources to take on the criminals now before our country slips away.

“Doubling Police numbers will reduce crime, dramatically decrease insurance and property rates and victim costs, and enable Police to use the technology they already have. The only people who can get security are those that are willing to buy it themselves,” Mr Mark said.

ENDS

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