That is why my office recently launched a new approach to crime. The approach has seen more safety patrols to deter bad behaviour, but also a focus on addressing the causes of crime.
An example of crime prevention is the outstanding work done by The Turn Your Life Around Trust (TYLA) which works with disadvantaged youth to keep them out of trouble. Their programmes have reduced reoffending by 75%. I was proud to rescue $60,000 from the council budget to keep TYLA running.
But there is an elephant in the room that nobody is talking about much. Drugs.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth or ‘P’, has entrenched itself as a scourge on our society and especially within the Auckland Central Business District (CBD). Its influence extends far beyond individual addiction and is the root cause of so much crime.
Addressing the methamphetamine crisis demands a joined-up approach that combines effective policing with robust health and addictions interventions.
Auckland CBD, once renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and bustling commerce, is now in the fight for order and control with methamphetamine.
From petty thefts to violent assaults, the drug's presence is seen throughout the city. The correlation between meth use and criminal behaviour is undeniable, but these are people trapped in the cycle of addiction, supporting the addict to recovery will ultimately reduce crime and reduce the victims of crime.
As police confront this escalating crisis, the role of gangs as primary suppliers cannot be overstated.
Publicly, I and other city and business leaders are calling for more patrols and an increase in police presence to improve safety and crime prevention. However, at the same time, police are responding to an alarmingly high number of firearms incidents, violent crime and knife crime, which is diverting police resources from proactive patrols to reactive police response.
The frontline Police officer is seeing the effect of P in their everyday police work; they are stretched responding to the amount of criminal and disorder events P is causing. The police's efforts are commendable, but they are merely scratching the surface of a much larger problem.
To improve safety and the perception of safety within Auckland, we need to get our problem definition sorted. At the moment, our problem is defined as safety and criminal activity on our street. My office and Auckland Council will continue to fund and deploy compliance wardens, compliance officers and CCTV monitoring for the CBD.
But what we are providing is only band aid to the root cause, which is P.
Effecting meaningful change requires a concerted effort from all. Government agencies, community organisations and healthcare providers must collaborate to address the methamphetamine issue.....The full article is published HERE
But there is an elephant in the room that nobody is talking about much. Drugs.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth or ‘P’, has entrenched itself as a scourge on our society and especially within the Auckland Central Business District (CBD). Its influence extends far beyond individual addiction and is the root cause of so much crime.
Addressing the methamphetamine crisis demands a joined-up approach that combines effective policing with robust health and addictions interventions.
Auckland CBD, once renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and bustling commerce, is now in the fight for order and control with methamphetamine.
From petty thefts to violent assaults, the drug's presence is seen throughout the city. The correlation between meth use and criminal behaviour is undeniable, but these are people trapped in the cycle of addiction, supporting the addict to recovery will ultimately reduce crime and reduce the victims of crime.
As police confront this escalating crisis, the role of gangs as primary suppliers cannot be overstated.
Publicly, I and other city and business leaders are calling for more patrols and an increase in police presence to improve safety and crime prevention. However, at the same time, police are responding to an alarmingly high number of firearms incidents, violent crime and knife crime, which is diverting police resources from proactive patrols to reactive police response.
The frontline Police officer is seeing the effect of P in their everyday police work; they are stretched responding to the amount of criminal and disorder events P is causing. The police's efforts are commendable, but they are merely scratching the surface of a much larger problem.
To improve safety and the perception of safety within Auckland, we need to get our problem definition sorted. At the moment, our problem is defined as safety and criminal activity on our street. My office and Auckland Council will continue to fund and deploy compliance wardens, compliance officers and CCTV monitoring for the CBD.
But what we are providing is only band aid to the root cause, which is P.
Effecting meaningful change requires a concerted effort from all. Government agencies, community organisations and healthcare providers must collaborate to address the methamphetamine issue.....The full article is published HERE
Wayne Brown is a New Zealand politician and the mayor of Auckland since the 2022 Auckland mayoral election.
7 comments:
Probably 15 years ago, a chap we bought a boat off, suggested that if the Government was serious about stopping drugs filtering throughout society, it needed to throw resources at the problem commensurate with a war. He had one son on marijuana, the other on P. The horse has bolted.
Mayor Brown , Your article is commendable . I believe you have omitted a section of the public that could assist authorities . Parents should be given immunity and anonyminity when forwarding family members name to authorities, whether they be users or abusers is immaterial to the damage P causes .
There is a recent podcast episode called "Jocko Unraveling 41: Bedlam." It talks about the consequences of closing mental institutions and releasing patients into the public. This has happened over the last 50 years or so.
There is definitely a case for removing people from the streets, locking them up and giving them proper care - and protecting society at the same time. It is not a perfect solution but there is no perfect solution.
If you want to tidy up the CBD, Wayne, just get the bums off the streets. Easy.
The War on Some Drugs has been waged for over a century. In terms of its stated purpose it has been a complete failure. The only beneficiary of this ongoing folly has been organised crime, which has been greatly enriched by it. Drug prohibition is a prime example of insanity: doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.
NZ has a meth problem, not just the Akl CBD they are everywhere just go for a drive out West Aukland and you can see them walking the streets on benefit day. Good Luck though sorting this out with your wardens, because there will be 5 more that will replace anyone you manage to save. Akl is like a Sthern US state full of drug addicted hoplessness.
Anon@7.39, no, I'd suggest Akld is closer to what's happening in Fiji, and what's the likely common factor? I'd suggest it's more than likely arriving by boat. We need to review our maritime border controls and, naturally, clamp down on our gang activities with better and wider asset confiscation measures - for it is, indeed, a war.
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