Police operation results in more arrests
Option of Boot Camp for young

While stepping up their efforts to round up offenders, Police acknowledge underlying problems and have floated a proposal that the community consider other possible options for rehabilitating young offenders, such as a “Boot Camp.”
Three more young men aged 17, 20 and 26 have been arrested as Police continue to target persons alleged to have been involved in crime over the last few months.
The 17 year old youth from Arorangi was arrested and charged with the theft of a motorcycle. Police has also recovered motorcycle engines which have been dismantled from their frames. Further charges of possession of utensils for drug use will be laid against the youth. Other persons involved in this crime are being investigated and will be charged accordingly.
The 20 year old from Arorangi was arrested for receiving stolen laptop while the 26 year old from Takuvaine was arrested for burglary of a residence.
Further charges are pending against the 3 young men. The above three persons arrested charged with several dishonesty and other crimes will appear in court on Friday afternoon.
Police comment:
We are making steady progress with our special operation. More evidence has been uncovered and more people have been and will continue to be charged. We will not ease up. We will continue implement our plan and bring those who have committed crimes before the courts.
We brought a young person before the Court recently for breach of his bail conditions. Sadly he has already developed a “do not care less” attitude with no regard or respect for the justice system hence he was imprisoned in Arorangi prison. The potential for him to reoffend when at large is very high as indicated by his record. The Police, Probation Service and the Welfare Unit of Internal Affairs have tried to help this youth. Other people in the community have also tried. Unfortunately for the community, this boy and others that we are dealing with will most probably continue to re-offend until they are locked away in prison.
There are others that we have managed to turn around. We will continue to work on programs to address this. The few who do not care, need custodial care, a lot of discipline and education on life skills.
Perhaps it is time for the community to seriously consider a proposal to government to introduce a facility such as a “Boot Camp” dedicated to rehabilitating young offenders as an option to putting them on curfew under the care of caregivers. This option would allow the courts to divert young offenders to a positive programme away from hardened criminals.
– Police media release

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