One coffee- old the gang patch, please
Jackson Street Businesses wishing to keep gang patches off their premises have been advised by local Police to ?make their own rules? in combating the problem. By Tim O?Connell Petone?s Community Constable has offered a simple solution to local businesses concerned over the intimidating presence of gang patches in their buildings. Tell them they can?t stay, or at least remove the offending items. Petone shoppers who wear gang patches or associated paraphernalia into some local businesses could soon face some stiff resistance from owners and may be asked to leave. ? ? Speaking to the Petone Herald last week, Community Constable Andy Smith confirmed that the issue had been raised by several business owners in the Petone CBD. While no direct complaints had been made to the Police as yet, some had expressed a concern that the presence of gang patches had created a sense of fear and intimidation amongst the public. ? ?It mainly relates to gang members wearing their patches inside local coffee shops, where they meet for whatever reason.? New Zealand law does not allow for people to be excluded from premises based purely on their dress or appearance. ?? However, Senior Constable Smith said he had no problem with proprietors asking people to remove anything that may intimidate other customers. ?Realistically it would be up to the owners to make their own rules in this situation? and we would support them in taking such measures,? he said. Such a practice has been undertaken in various pubs and hotels for many years, and Senior Constable Smith agreed the situation could be used by those who felt threatened. He saw no malice in business owners asking patrons to remove anything that would provoke intimidation on other customers. Businesses were entitled to protect their interests against situations where customers did not feel comfortable. It was no different to those who placed ?no dogs? signs on shop doors, he said. ?
