Will it work?

(cross post from Just Left)

I live about 40 metres away from Deans Ave, which is one of the "boy racers" major circuits each weekend in Christchurch.  The noise is frustrating.  The rubbish left behind a nuisance.  And when frustration and nuisance becomes dangerous, such as bullets fired at policemen, then we have a serious issues that must be addressed. 

But this issue has been bubbling away for a number of years.  At each stage the rules have got "tougher", and penalties "harsher", and yet the issues gets worse; the situations more dangerous.  Hon Clayton Cosgrove introduced a "boy racer" private members bill into Parliament with tougher penalties which passed with cross-party support.  Mayor Bob Parker introduced bans into several streets and several parts of the city - even though the evidence was that the problem would simply shift elsewhere.

At each stage the Police have called for more powers to deal with the issue.  Politicians are now responding by promising to "crack down" on "boy racers".  Sound familiar?  Is this part of the "law and order auction"? 

I'm not interested in being "harsh" or "soft" on boy racers.  I'm also not interested in defending indefensible and illegal behaviour.  The situation must be solved.  My key question is - what will work? 

What will solve the problem, or create a situation where the noise, the nuisance, the rubbish, the danger is minimised?  Is crushing cars, removing licenses and throwing these "boy racers" into prison (as John Key, Judith Collins, the police and others are suggesting) really going to solve the problem, or will it create an even worse situation?  Where is the evidence, the research, the analysis?

Comments

[Brett Dale]

First off, our former Major Garry Moore cannot wash his hands of this problem. For years he welcomed the boy racers to our city, saying they give Christchurch colour, he also said that it was BS that Chch has a crime problem.

This approach hasnt worked, these guys have no consequences, there seems to be a misconception that the tough approach wont work.

Well it has in New York it has in Brisbane, if you started taking away these guys cars or fining them heavily and making sure they pay their fines, the problem will get better, they have no respect for the law, why should we respect them.

You should always take away a criminals weapon, and if there weapon is a car, you take away their car.