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Election hoarding vandals (2)

  • October 25th, 2008

Massive interest in the sign vandals. Some of the comments were thoughtful.

 ‘Diane’ speculated:  "Isn’t this sort of vandalism the sort that crime fighters are talking about nipping in the bud.
…..I believe this sort of behaviour can be the starting point of really anti-social behaviour for those that are inclined to the criminal side of life. For those whose personalities thrive on thrills and danger may find that vandalism becomes ho-hum boring and look for bigger ‘hits’ to provide the thrills."

Broken Windows policing theory holds that people inclined to prey on others will look for environmental indicators of the level of risk when deciding how far they can go. They try to pick up the norms in the neighbourhood.

The theory holds that persistent graffiti and un-repaired vandalism are a public confirmation that rules are not enforced, that other predators are getting away with it. So predation escalates as successive levels of otherwise marginal offenders join in. The huge reduction in New York crime followed a determined official attack on all low level signs of social disorder, with immediate cleaning of graffiti, and rigorous enforcement of petty offending rules.

That success came after decades of fruitless squad policing focus on "serious crime".

Wadestown experience may support that theory. Wadestown people tell  of a general increase in vandalism and graffiti over several weeks. It may be associated with the sight of trashed billboards in that suburb morning after morning.

We think the Wadestown hoarding destruction is separate from the systematic campaign against our signage elsewhere. The methods have differed.

It may be just an a local snob who thinks his suburb is above the vulgar enthusiasms of electoral politics. He need to assert dominance by destroying the impudent intrusion of messages in his territory. But the consequence may be greater threats to his patch, as emboldened petty criminals become less petty.

I’m still inclined though to tolerate low level interference with our signage. We did not put effort into trying to catch the early artists. The photo below was shown to TV3’s Stephen Parker as a benign example.

I liked the Bill Hammond ‘parrot’ on my shoulder.

Stuff picked up Stephen Parker’s TV3 interview report.

The DomPost did not even call to get supplementary comment. They had a delightful hoarding story yesterday on the Bowie family political tussle, but odd that they’ve otherwise largely avoided the election in their backyard. By not covering the suburban multi-candidate meetings they missed some superbly timed one-liners from Independent candidate Al Mansell.

Comments

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  • Allison
  • October 25th, 2008
  • 2:58 pm

It has been disappointing not to see more in the dom. So it seems in a world of MMP the candidates themselves have been forgotten. I have enjoyed the many blogs which are giving the real stories of the election debates locally, as opposed to the so called news sites.

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  • Jimmy
  • October 25th, 2008
  • 8:25 pm

Stephen I was appalled to see vandals have completely taken the National and ACT hoardings on Burma Road in Khandallah whilst the Labour and NZ First Hoardings were intentionally ignored, there were tyre tracks on the grass berm indicating a ute or van has driven up and taken the whole lot.(including framing)

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  • Labour Supporter
  • October 26th, 2008
  • 4:30 am

National, seriously you guys are crap. you are WASTING MY MONEY on CAMERAS!? HOW DARE YOU. THESE THUGS OR YOUTHS NEED A MEDAL FOR EXPOSING HOW CRAP YOUR PARTY ACTUALLY IS. i don’t like any politician but at least the ones that ARE stealing off us ADMIT it…i hope hell is nice and warm for you…

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  • ijusthatepolitics
  • October 26th, 2008
  • 4:36 am

Stephen,
i think you need to chill out. these kids or whatever have obviously started their political careers the same way that you have. theres no harm in having a bit of fun in writing on a few billboards. the question is not a case of are, but were you a child.. obviously we know how our money is being spent, hence why i am voting for any party that is not yours!!!

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  • Allison
  • October 26th, 2008
  • 7:45 am

Unlike Labour, I’m pretty sure National doesn’t use the tax payers money. I see both the above comments show that same sense of entitlement that Labour has. Um, not your money. Stop whining. I wish your party WOULD put our money to better use.

Besides, unlike the over 60’s brochures, and the pledge card Liar-bour did, Stephen couldn’t even if he did want to as he hasn’t just been a member of Parliament.

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  • Pat
  • October 26th, 2008
  • 5:47 pm

They can burn our posters. They can cut them up, and try to cheat but Stephen will still win Wellington Central and National will sweep to power in just 13 days time.

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  • peterquixote
  • October 26th, 2008
  • 8:50 pm

the truth is out Pat,
buy a red wine, drink it,
buy ticket now to AUSTRALIA, or anywhere,

before that convert all currency,
NZ dollar slipping fast
best value to date $AUD
do not leave it till the madwoman is reinstated with Green and winston.

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Mate, don’t you worry about TV 3. My media empire is mushrooming as we speak voteforal.blogspot.com). I’m taking over this town.
It’s about time you mentioned me on your website- you’re virtually the star of all my campaign media.

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  • pirate steve
  • September 24th, 2010
  • 10:59 pm

Big up the National pirate massiv!!! wot up!!!!?!?

Gravatar
  • web
  • November 22nd, 2018
  • 3:36 am

Article writing is also a fun, if you be acquainted with after
that you can write otherwise it is difficult to write.

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