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| "We can't be terrorised by these bunch of criminals . We have to stand up and tell them to get out of town and go back to Australia." Inspector Paul Dimery |
OFF THE WIRE
The city's top cop has raised concerns over why Whangarei District Council did not move sooner to stop the Rebels motorcycle gang setting up their headquarters in a commercial building.
Area commander Inspector Paul Dimery expressed his disappointment with the previous council's attitude of not wanting to get involved with the Rebels because they were "scared".
"We can't be terrorised by these bunch of criminals. We have to stand up and tell them to get out of town and go back to Australia," Mr Dimery told the council's monthly meeting yesterday.
Mr Dimery said he raised the gang issue with council staff previously but he was concerned about the council's apathy towards dealing with the gang.
Yesterday he warned: "Whangarei cannot afford to turn a blind eye when it comes to the Rebels" and urged the council and the public to unite and help push the gang out of town.
"We all need to send them the message they are not welcome."
Mr Dimery said he was to meet with senior council staff on April 9.
"This town is about youth progressing and not allowing the Rebels to get a foothold in the methamphetamine trade and bullying standover tactics."
Councillor Sharon Morgan asked Mr Dimery how long police could sustain the intense pressure on the gang and maintain the resources that had been dedicated to the issue.
Mr Dimery was emphatic: "How long can we keep it up? Until they leave town."
Deputy Mayor Phil Halse, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of Mayor Morris Cutforth, said the council backed the police in whatever they had to do to remove the Rebels from the city.
The Rebels gang used a fundraiser for the Canterbury earthquake as their launching pad over Easter Weekend at their new headquarters in Porowini Ave, a commercial area of Whangarei.
Police say it was a recruiting drive.
In Australia, police say, the gang is involved in serious violence and the manufacture and trafficking of drugs.
During the weekend patched members of the Rebels from New Zealand and Australian chapters held their first motorcycle run from the newly established Whangarei base, with stops at hotels in Kaikohe, Kerikeri and Hikurangi.
Police descended on Porowini Ave before the Rebels rode off and checked riders and bikes.
Cr Greg Martin said he had stopped in Hikurangi with his grand daughter when the Rebels rode in.
"There was no doubt about it, they were recruiting. They were in the carpark talking to locals and it was obvious," Cr Martin said.
WDC group manager environmental services Paul Dell said when the council found out about the club staff inspected the clubroom to make sure it complied with its stated aim of being a boxing club/gym to help troubled youth.
Mr Dell said the building was fully compliant with all council regulations.
"At this stage we are confident that the club is within the rules."
He said as the building was in a commercially zoned area it had to abide by the same rules as any other business and checks would be made.
Mr Dell said an application by the club for a liquor licence for over the Easter Weekend was turned down.
