Police are continuing to monitor the funeral of a prominent Mongrel Mob member in Western Bay of Plenty today.
Police will have an increased presence in the region to monitor the funeral, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said, with officers “ready to respond to unlawful activity if it arises”.
A procession was due to travel across Tauranga late this morning. Police checkpoints will be in place, a spokesperson said.
And the police Eagle helicopter will be on hand, a spokesperson said earlier.
“We want to provide space for family and friends to grieve the loss of a loved one, however we want to make it clear that no unlawful activity will be tolerated and enforcement action will be taken where unlawful activity is identified,” Anderson said.
Anderson said there were three arrests yesterday of Mongrel Mob members who allegedly breached new gang insignia laws.
“Police were monitoring the movements of gang members and associates across Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty with the majority of attendees displaying good judgement and not engaging in unlawful activity.
“However, police did arrest three Mongrel Mob members, two aged 32 and one aged 31, who didn’t get the message and were charged for wearing various items of clothing displaying Mongrel Mob insignia,” Anderson said.
The trio were set to appear in Tauranga District Court on Monday.
“A 32-year-old patched East Side member was arrested on unrelated charges of shoplifting,” Anderson continued.
“Police have been running checkpoints across the district and were watching as a convoy carrying the deceased drove through Tauranga.
“Three motorbikes were seized after allegedly being used to disrupt traffic and block roads across Tauranga.”
Police are out in force amid the funeral of a man linked to the Mongrel Mob. (Source: 1News)
And a driver was arrested after they were allegedly seen driving dangerously on Owens Place at about 9am today. Their vehicle was seized.
“The 30-year-old man is due to appear in the Tauranga District Court in due course on charges of dangerous driving.
“There is no place for this activity today, this arrest reinforces our message that we will be taking enforcement action where unlawful activity is identified.”
Police asked people attending the funeral to “make good choices”, including not wearing gang insignia in public.
“There is no place for unlawful activity and we will take enforcement action against anyone breaking the law.
“If you see any unlawful activity please contact police and provide as much detail as you can.”
Neighbour ‘uncomfortable’ with police presence
A woman in the Tauranga suburb of Matapihi told 1News there were “an excessive amount of police officers” leading up to the funeral.
“Even though one of our uncles has passed away [and] he’s associated with gangs, it’s almost like an ulterior motive that [Police] use a breath test to pin anybody that’s associated or paying their respect to the fallen at the marae.”
She said the presence of extra officers was “disrespectful” to the people who were living and those who had died.
“It makes me feel uncomfortable, being in my community we don’t often have a police presence like this. Just in the last two days it’s been too excessive.”
