Law and order

Press, 26 February 1987, Page 12

Law and order

Sir, —I support the views of Mr John Lee (February 20). As potential criminals surface early

with patterns of persistent antisocial behaviour it is then that steps should be taken to discover and assuage that cause. If untreated, school teachers become steadily aware of the pupils who will be bad news through life. As we award certificates of merit, so we should issue a short list of these delinquents and pass them on for assistance. Hold compulsory classes, taken by a psychiatrist and police, to cover films showing the two lifestyles that lie ahead: drugs, Court atmosphere, prison scenes, compared with an eight-hour day job with free hobby time after. If one parent at least is present, it will open up a channel of communication for discussions at home. The shock of the experience of a prison sentence on teenagers is something they have never imagined and does irreversible mental damage. Moreover, it produces bitter people, determined to pay society back.—Yours, etc.,

H. TURNER. February 23, 1987.

Sir,—So, National’s morepolice less-crime is too simple for Mr Lee, and Mr Lee is too “academic” for the Police Association (i.e., no practical advice). The crime rate has increased throughout the century and the response, regardless of party in power, has been to allocate more resources to the police. One police person was sufficient to meet the needs of 1315 New Zealanders in 1908; by 1985 one police person could serve only 648 persons. The conclusion one must draw is that either citizens are twice as unruly or the police are half as effective, despite new technology. Under National’s 29 years in office, the population increased 41.46 per cent and police 100.38 per cent. Twenty-one years of Labour saw population Increase 26.61 per cent and police 53.51 per cent For all the “philosophic” differences, both parties respond identically to crime rates, and the crime rises with the police numbers. How many police will it take in the market economy of all against all?—Yours, etc.,

C. P. SEDGWICK February 22, 1987.