Todd McClay: Govt is winning war against gangs

Gangs - we are over you! Over the past two years, the Government has tackled the issues and problems bought into our communities by gangs.
We said we would give police new powers to intercept gang communications, dismantle drug fortifications and seize proceeds of crime. We've done that - and over $38 million worth of assets has been taken from gangs and other criminals as a result.
We said we would take action on violent crime by strengthening bail laws, boosting police numbers on the streets and confronting the binge-drinking culture. We've done that - by passing over 18 new laws to help make families safer in their homes and communities.
I continue to make the case for additional police resources for Rotorua. Late last year I hosted Police Minister Judith Collins and we visited the Rotorua police station to view plans for a new police facility in our town.
Minister Collins recognised the important job that our police do under difficult circumstances and agreed with me that we need more police in Rotorua.
As the Government completes its commitment to recruit 600 additional police (with 300 earmarked for South Auckland), I continue to lobby for Rotorua to be at the front of this queue.
We said we would put victims first by improving services for victims and increasing efficiencies in the justice systems. We've done that by introducing the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) Act last year.
We said we would crack down on one of the gang's biggest money earners - P - and declared a war on drugs with a focus on precursors and drug supply chains, getting better support for addicts and families at risk of succumbing to P and providing leadership to government agencies involved in this war. We've done that. The progress reports, released last month, on tackling methamphetamine shows that abuse, manufacture and supply of P in New Zealand are showing signs of significant change.
The Government is committed to continuing this fight with gangs head-on.
Gangs serve no constructive purpose in New Zealand's society.
They are the leading force behind much of New Zealand's organised crime and their activities are no longer tolerated.
As part of this ongoing fight, I will be introducing a bill to Parliament banning gang insignia from all government buildings in New Zealand. It will make wearing gang insignia in all government buildings a criminal offence.
My message to gangs in this bill is clear. If you walk into a Work and Income office wearing a patch, the government will not serve you. Instead a policeman will.
Every day, members of the public seek assistance from government departments, visit hospitals and attend schools.
Law-abiding citizens deserve to be protected from feeling threatened and at risk when they visit government buildings. People who work for the Government have the right to be protected from the harm that gangs inflict and the intimidation tactics they often employ.
Gang patches are a "badge of crime" from organisations that encourage members to break the law. It gives wearers the arrogance to intimidate, and banning its use will make these members come to government departments as ordinary citizens with the same rights as everyone else.
Any gang member who wears gang insignia in a government building will face a fine of up to $2000 and their insignia will be destroyed. This is a clear message to gangs - your reign of terror and thuggery is over.
For those who are concerned about civil liberty, I will always put the needs of victims and law-abiding citizens before members of gangs who harm others, commit crimes and manufacture and sell drugs to our children. Your right to feel safe and secure is much more important!
Todd McClay is MP for Rotorua