NZCSA conference discusses crime prevention in Auckland
A string of assaults on Asian students last week has created unrest in Auckland. The city, which was once regarded as peaceful, is losing its reputation with rising fear and aggrieve among international students.
Six Asian students were victims of three different attacks in two days in broad daylight. The police have ruled out ‘the racial angle’ and have regarded such attacks as a ‘crimes of commodity’.
In the wake of these brutal attacks, New Zealand Chinese Students Association organised a forum on Friday, April 1, bringing together Members of Parliament, the police, investigating officers and more than 200 students and student representatives from different institutions.
The objective of the forum was to discuss the recent attacks on Asian students and look out for suggestions and advice from a diverse range of people present at the forum. The conference aimed to provide an update on the progress of the investigation, the speakers’ views on the issue and give tips to the students on how to protect themselves from such adversities.
Present at the forum were investigating officers Inspector Tipene, Inspector Roger, and Inspector Whittaker, Mr Binhiu Luo, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China, Members of Parliament Phil Goff and Dr Jian Yang, Councillor Mike Lee from Auckland Council, Acting Vice Chancellor of Auckland University Professor Jenny Dixon, Nigel Hemmington from AUT and Dr Rick Ede from Unitec.
The conference was divided into three parts:
• Introduction of the speakers and their take on the incident
• Answering questions and clarifying doubts of the students present
• Noting suggestions to make the crime prone zones more vigilant and protected
Labour MP Phil Goff said, “We need more investment in getting resources for a better surveillance, especially in the CBD area, which is becoming a crime haven for the crooked.”
Following were some of the questions and suggestions put forward by the student representatives and others present at the forum:
• Better lighting, more signage and increased surveillance cameras at Albert Park
• Take a more preventive approach rather than a responsive one
• Establish students’ centre to counsel the victims and provide information to their parents/guardians
• Toughening the law so that the perpetrators do not get away with petty charges
Some of the other important facts that came to the table were that criminals do not fear the law. They have little or no respect for the court proceedings since they know they can get away with lesser time behind bars and just by doing community hours.
One among the audience asked what degree of self-defence is legal or allowed under the New Zealand law.
Asian Liaison Officer Jessica Phuang, who started a couple of programmes to mitigate and educate international students, answered, “You have to use proportional force against the offender in your defence. Remember to protect yourself first and then guard your property at such situations.”
Auckland Police has recently started an International Students Ambassador Programme and a City Watch Security Programme for the safety of the public in the city.
One of the speakers as well as a member of the audience pointed if there was a deeper reason behind the crimes than just materialistic opportunity. Labour MP stated that the offenders themselves are the victims of life and bad parenting. These children grow up witnessing domestic violence and live in an environment that mistreats them. Poverty and lack of education also result in kids taking such actions to accomplish their desires.
Concluding the forum, investigating officer Inspector Whittaker advised the audience not to flash or keep expensive goods such as mobile phones, laptops, and jewellery exposed in cars and while walking on the road. He also advised them to avoid deserted routes after dusk and keep their mates informed of their whereabouts.
A string of assaults on Asian students last week has created unrest in Auckland. The city, which was once regarded as peaceful, is losing its reputation with rising fear and aggrieve among international students.
Six Asian students were victims of three different attacks in two days in broad...
A string of assaults on Asian students last week has created unrest in Auckland. The city, which was once regarded as peaceful, is losing its reputation with rising fear and aggrieve among international students.
Six Asian students were victims of three different attacks in two days in broad daylight. The police have ruled out ‘the racial angle’ and have regarded such attacks as a ‘crimes of commodity’.
In the wake of these brutal attacks, New Zealand Chinese Students Association organised a forum on Friday, April 1, bringing together Members of Parliament, the police, investigating officers and more than 200 students and student representatives from different institutions.
The objective of the forum was to discuss the recent attacks on Asian students and look out for suggestions and advice from a diverse range of people present at the forum. The conference aimed to provide an update on the progress of the investigation, the speakers’ views on the issue and give tips to the students on how to protect themselves from such adversities.
Present at the forum were investigating officers Inspector Tipene, Inspector Roger, and Inspector Whittaker, Mr Binhiu Luo, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China, Members of Parliament Phil Goff and Dr Jian Yang, Councillor Mike Lee from Auckland Council, Acting Vice Chancellor of Auckland University Professor Jenny Dixon, Nigel Hemmington from AUT and Dr Rick Ede from Unitec.
The conference was divided into three parts:
• Introduction of the speakers and their take on the incident
• Answering questions and clarifying doubts of the students present
• Noting suggestions to make the crime prone zones more vigilant and protected
Labour MP Phil Goff said, “We need more investment in getting resources for a better surveillance, especially in the CBD area, which is becoming a crime haven for the crooked.”
Following were some of the questions and suggestions put forward by the student representatives and others present at the forum:
• Better lighting, more signage and increased surveillance cameras at Albert Park
• Take a more preventive approach rather than a responsive one
• Establish students’ centre to counsel the victims and provide information to their parents/guardians
• Toughening the law so that the perpetrators do not get away with petty charges
Some of the other important facts that came to the table were that criminals do not fear the law. They have little or no respect for the court proceedings since they know they can get away with lesser time behind bars and just by doing community hours.
One among the audience asked what degree of self-defence is legal or allowed under the New Zealand law.
Asian Liaison Officer Jessica Phuang, who started a couple of programmes to mitigate and educate international students, answered, “You have to use proportional force against the offender in your defence. Remember to protect yourself first and then guard your property at such situations.”
Auckland Police has recently started an International Students Ambassador Programme and a City Watch Security Programme for the safety of the public in the city.
One of the speakers as well as a member of the audience pointed if there was a deeper reason behind the crimes than just materialistic opportunity. Labour MP stated that the offenders themselves are the victims of life and bad parenting. These children grow up witnessing domestic violence and live in an environment that mistreats them. Poverty and lack of education also result in kids taking such actions to accomplish their desires.
Concluding the forum, investigating officer Inspector Whittaker advised the audience not to flash or keep expensive goods such as mobile phones, laptops, and jewellery exposed in cars and while walking on the road. He also advised them to avoid deserted routes after dusk and keep their mates informed of their whereabouts.
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