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Sensible Sentencing Trust

- our name may confuse some, but our purpose is clear:

Educate, by informing the public of the horrific consequences and ongoing effects that violent crime has not only on the victim but also the wider community
Advocate, through research and making submissions to parliament on proposed law changes and for an increase in victims rights
Support victims of serious crime as they are thrust into the often foreign and frightening justice system.

Our ultimate outcome is to create a safer New Zealand.

I joined the trust in 2007 after my 20 year old daughter was killed by a drunk disqualified driver, a career criminal, on parole and with a new identity under the Witness Protection Programme. Her death was made even harder to accept when we learnt that "the tragic circumstances in which Ms Debbie Ashton died arose from a series of individual performance errors and systems failures" within both Police and Corrections. To date not one person has been held accountable for these failings.

2009 saw many proposed changes to the law go before parliament such as Compulsory DNA, Sentencing and Parole - 3 Strikes and Legal Services for victims.

The Ministry of Justice is currently undertaking "A Review of Victims' Rights" . There is an urgent need of a major reform in the youth justice system to stop kids going on the journey from "the cradle to jail."

"If the politicians don't see a voice opposing a viewpoint then they seem to think that viewpoint is what the majority are thinking."

"Help us put justice back into the system"

For more information visit our web site www.safenz.org.nz or email me at ashtonteam@xtra.co.nz

Judy Ashton

The Law and Order Report

HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY MORE SECURE

By being a good neighbour, and keeping an eye out for anything SUSPICIOUS you can help make your community more secure. These are some of the things you should report to police.

Strangers knocking on front doors or peering through windows then disappearing round the back, or loitering suspiciously.
Strangers hanging around schools, playing fields etc and approaching children.
Strangers trying car doors.
ANYTHING THAT YOU BELIEVE IS SUSPICIOUS

Details are important - Whenever you pass on information, remember that accurate descriptions of suspect people and vehicles etc will save time.

THIS IS THE INFORMATION THE POLICE WILL NEED.

An exact detail and description of what you have seen.
The time.
The place.
The person involved, age, sex, height, build, unusual characteristics, clothing worn and any other distinguishing features.
The vehicle involved (if any), registration number (even part numbers may assist), make and model if known, colour.
Direction of travel, either on foot, car or other means of transport.

When speaking to the call taker please speak slowly, clearly and do not be panicky as the call taker may be dispatching cars to the area at the same time as talking to you.

Remember if you think it is an emergency ring 111.

Eric Davy
Law and Order Spokesperson
December 2009