We have allowed crime drenched news headlines designed for ratings to dominate the debate over youth crime and ram raiding. The natural anger and we fear we feel towards youth crime is being fueled by corporate media and manipulated by get-tough-on-crime politicians. Right now we have ended up in a situation where ACT screams ankle bracelets on 11 year olds while National cries back they should be put on 10 year olds! We have less than 200 beds put aside for these transitioning youth, which leaves 4800 who risk homelessness. That would do far more to reduce youth crime than putting ankle bracelets on children.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 15, 2022 23:20 UTC