THE FAMILY PARTY
www.familyparty.org.nz

PRESS STATEMENT FOR RELEASE
 

Armed patrols sad but necessary reality
 

15 June 08. Family Party leader Richard Lewis says 24hr armed police patrols are inevitable as violent crime increases.

The concept being considered by police involves armed response vehicles manned by firearms specialists that provide a quick response to call-outs like last week's shooting of Manurewa liquor storeowner Navtej Singh.

“The increasing trends of violent crime coupled with gang activity and drug dealing have put police under intense pressure on the frontlines. It’s often difficult to muster the armed offenders squad in a timely manner because they’re not fulltime. The obvious alternative is to have them on deck around the clock – a sad but necessary reality,” says Mr Lewis. 

Mr Lewis says the Government has been in denial about crime trends and slow to respond to police pleas for support. “Violent crime has been trending upwards for years and the police have been consistently asking Government for frontline support, to little if no avail. Labour has had the political leadership of South Auckland for three terms. Clearly, they’ve failed and it’s time for change,” he added.

The Family Party aims to boost frontline police staff and resources with a specific focus on drug dealing, street prostitution and organised crime.

ENDS

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