Editorial: Arrogant attitude to laws offensive

For better or worse, we elect our councillors to run our city and pass bylaws.

Of course, they don't always get it right. But even when they get it wrong, it is necessary everyone obeys the rules for the greater good.

The same applies when our MPs make and update the country's laws.

The alternative is people thinking they're above the law.

One such person is porn king Steve Crow.

He has the gall to say he will disobey any legal move by the council to stop him bringing back his controversial Boobs on Bikes show.

The council met this week and wants to make offensiveness one of the grounds for requiring permission to hold a street parade. The current criteria, impeding pedestrian or vehicle access, is not enough to stop Crow bringing his show to town.

The move, which has still to go out for public consultation, comes after the furore that surrounded last year's inaugural Tauranga Boobs on Bikes event. Protesters tried to stop the parade and a heavy police presence was necessary as it wound its way along The Strand and Devonport Rd.

When the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend broke the story last year that Crow was bringing his parade to town, I editorialised I was against it and nothing has happened since to change my mind.

I have no problem with people who want to enjoy this sort of thing in private. That's their business.

But people, including children, should have the right to walk down any street any time and not be confronted with nudity that some would find offensive.

If people are so desperate to see women's boobs, they can go to a strip club or, better yet, buy one of Crow's movies.

My view this parade does not belong on our streets is stronger than ever given his comments in yesterday's edition.

Crow's contempt for our councillors, who agreed unanimously to upgrade the parades bylaw, shows what an arrogant man he is.

"It won't make any difference to me whatsoever," he told us.

"I will take zero notice of any bylaw they bring in. I'm not vaguely interested in what the Tauranga City Council considers offensive.

"If they want to waste Tauranga ratepayers' money, let them. I have plenty of money, I'm happy to fight them."

Well, Mr Crow, this is not your city and I find you offensive.

It is vital the rule of law is upheld. If the city decides to press ahead with these changes and Crow decides to come back here, councillors will have no option but to enforce the bylaw and tackle him head-on.