Residents living in fear of youth gang members in their Auckland street say the neighbourhood has been quiet since media interest sparked a police clampdown last week.
But those living near the Range View Rd property in Owairaka - home to five youth gang members and their parents
- don't expect the peace to last.
Police have increased patrols of the street while neighbours eagerly anticipate a Tenancy Tribunal hearing next week which they hope will force the group out for good. Housing New Zealand, which owns the home, informed the tenants last week it intended to evict them. However, this could take weeks or even months.
The hearing will decide if they breached tenancy conditions and if eviction is necessary.
Clearly afraid, residents who did not want to be named told the Herald they expected the intimidation, assaults and property damage they allege has been occurring to start again soon.
"They keep a low profile when they're in the firing line but then it never lasts," one person said. "We've had this problem dozens of times. It won't last."
Another said: "They stay quiet for a little while, then they spark up again. But hopefully it will be the last time."
Residents were relieved a hearing date had been set but said it was taking too long to evict the group.
"We want them gone because it's so bad. It's been so many years," said one woman, cowering in her doorway, afraid of being seen or heard.
A spokesman for Housing Minister Chris Carter said a Tenancy Tribunal hearing would be held within the week. Both Housing New Zealand and the tenants' cases would be heard before the tribunal decided what to do.
Mt Albert police Constable Nigel Turnbull refused to say if police had been called back to the address since tenants had been informed of the intended eviction. Because some tenants had matters before the courts, police could not say if they were still causing problems, he said.
