A new law banning gang insignia from all local and central government premises, including schools, kindergartens and public hospitals is a great move.
The bill was presented to Parliament by Rotorua MP Todd McClay last year and passed its final reading last week.
Wearing a gang patch has no significanceto the wider community apart from intimidating the general public and announcing to rival gang members there is an adversary nearby.
I've often found it ironic especially when it came to the court process that judges, court staff, lawyers, police and even media were expected to wear a high standard of dress in court, while many who were appearing before the court could get away with wearing whatever they liked. The wearing of gang insignia in and around court, was nothing more than a snub at the system.
Although you don't see gang patches in most places in Rotorua, I've seen gang members hanging around outside court, to be fair minding their own business but it was amazing to see members of the public who see the loitering gang member, suddenly change direction or cross the road to avoid a possible encounter with them.
Patched members may say their insignia serves a different purpose such as showing solidarity and pride in their brotherhood but I'd prefer if they kept that pride to themselves.
According to Mr McClay, the ban appears to have the backing of schools in the area, with one board of trustees chairman saying children at their school didn't need to be exposed to it, in fact they needed to be protected from it.
Police will also find this new law a useful tool in the fight against crime. They will now have the power to arrest or fine gang members who break the law as well as confiscate and destroy the gang insignia.
What will be interesting is how hard the new law will be policed. I believe there needs to be a hard line taken with it otherwise if they pick and choose when to enforce the ban gang members will just flout it.
