Editorial: Bill turns up heat on gangs tad more

What a nice change - it looks like Wanganui is for once going to get some positive publicity around the issue of gangs.
Although Rotorua MP Todd McLay deserves his time in the spotlight for his private members' bill proposing a ban on gang patches in all Government buildings and properties, there can be no doubt that Wanganui can bask in a little reflected glory.
At the weekend, Mr McLay announced his intention to put his bill forward to the parliamentary ballot this week. If National remains in power after the November 26 election, there's a good chance of the bill becoming law.
Anyone who takes more than a passing interest in news and current affairs will realise that the forerunner to Mr McLay's bill was Wanganui's own gang patch ban.
It's impossible to ignore the fact the ban was subsequently ruled invalid, however it can't be disputed that our council, and in particular former mayor Michael Laws, were the first to take this step in order to tackle the gang menace in society. For that, they deserve credit.
Strengthening our city's links with this bill is the fact that Whanganui MP Chester Borrows apparently worked with Mr McLay on it, something which will do our incumbent MP no harm in an election year.
The bill is also notable for receiving praise from Mr Laws, and his mayoral successor, Annette Main - a rare display of unity.
But even if Mr McLay's bill becomes law, there is no guarantee gang members will necessarily obey it. It's something of an understatement to say that they, as a general rule, don't have the best record when it comes to following rules.
Questions must also be asked about the ability, or more likely the willingness, of those gang members who do break the law, to pay the fine which will subsequently be imposed upon them.
There is a risk this proposed law could end up as just another device to build this country's already substantial tally of unpaid criminal fines.
But the risk of a law being ignored is no reason to avoid implementing it.
Mr McLay's proposal adds impetus to a growing movement against gangs - local authorities will watch the bill's progress closely, as well as Wanganui District Council's efforts to draft a new gang patch bylaw.
It may be a slightly circuitous route, but if the end result makes life tougher for gangs, it's a positive outcome for the entire country.
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