For all those who keep saying there are no consequences for ram raiders

The line being run by the sensible sentencing Lynch mobs and the Dairy Owners and the reactionary right is that there are no consequences to ram raiders.

The latest study into our ram raiding teens highlights these are children of trauma being exacerbated by post-Covid ruptures..

Study finds link between young ram-raiders and family harm events

A study has provided a startling look into the link between youth involved in ram-raids and family harm.

The Police National Youth Team prepared notes for the Children’s Commissioner about the relationship between family harm and youths identified in recent ram-raid events.

A sample of 63 children and young people was drawn from those involved in ram-raids in Christchurch, the Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Waikato, in the year to May 2022.

Their ages ranged from 10 to 18 years old, with an average of 14.4.

…these ram raiding teens are the legacy of John Key’s punitive prison policies and social welfare failures.

These were the children living in cars that National ignored.

These were the children who’s fathers were in prison when National mass incarcerated.

These were the children who National threw out onto the streets over the State Housing meth scam.

Their predictable explosion should shame us for the failed services we’ve provided, and yet the cry from National is for more punitive sentences…

Meanwhile, National’s justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith maintains there needs to be harsher consequences for youths involved in serious crimes like ram-raids.

…while ACT want children in ankle bracelets.

The argument these teens face no consequences is simply not true and when they do get caught bye the Police, they face a hiding when no one is watching…

Um… I know they did crimes but probs best for the police not to beat them. Punishment is for the courts to decide. #nzpol pic.twitter.com/myPW5vxCY2

— Mārx #Efeso4mayor (@jbengee) September 27, 2022

…of course every effort must be taken to catch every perpetrator and have them dealt appropriately through Youth Court processes or social agencies, but understanding these ram raids are the psychological and economic symptom of a deeper malaise that is running through post-Peak Covid NZ is a far greater starting point in terms of decision making than allowing our fear and anger dictate policing policy that might make things worse.

This is but the beginning of the post traumatic trauma this country is working through, we have to de-escalate and act like adults here, not become a fucking Lynch mob!

We have enough Lynch mobs as it is.

These damaged kids need our help, their criminality is a reflection of a gated neoliberal society who enrich the wealthy while providing crumbs for the poor.

The economic outlook is far more grim than we are admitting and these pressures are only building.

We need alternatives, not more of the same failed conservative social policy knee jerks.

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