Aggression pride

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 539, 7 June 1994, Page 4

Aggression pride

We are subjected to enough unnecessary aggression coming into our homes through TV without the Bulletin choosing to gi ve pride of place to the graphic photo of a (mock up) robbery by the police. Especially considering the recent publicity to com-

bat family violence in communities, the disturbing image of a woman laying helplessly on the fioor with a large man holding a gun to her head and a foot against her body, was particularly violent and ill-advised in the extreme. I can't help wondering what might happen when a child comments on the photo. What would the parent answer? "No that's okay. dear, its justthe cops playing robbers" Where is that likely to leave the police force in the eyes of children? We can do without such

photos. Incidentally, I have also run a number of training courses on observation techniques; not one of which has necessitated either "man-handling" the participants or the use of a gun. I believe we all must be more aware of the images and messages we are presenting if we are serious about having a more caring society. Celeste Ventura Waimarino police sergeant Bob Evans replies: The Crime Prevention Seminar was held with two main aims. To provide some crime

prevention strategies for business to explore and possibly adopt. To make persons who could possibly become the victims of an armed robbery aware of strategies to adopt that may save their lives. Focussing on the second aim, armed robbery has unfortunately become more prevalent over the last few years and no community can consider itself immune. The offenders that commit this type of offence will readily travel some distance to carry out their course of action. It is my fervent hope that an incident of this type does not occur in this area, but that if one should occur no one involved should be in-

jured. To this end we held the seminar. International and local experience and research shows that the actions of the victims of such an offence bear greatly on the likely result of that incident. To be able to make people appreciate the speed and ferocity with which a robbery takes place the mockup is necessary. This is then followed with the necessary instruction to ensure people are aware of the necessary strategies to ensure their survival. That was the aim of this exercise. We definitely sought publicity of the point to make other members of the community who were not present at the seminar think,

and if they feel it necessary, to aDDroach us for advice.