ID :
51898
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/51898
The shortlink copeid
Bikie violence will get worse: expert
(AAP) - Bikie gang violence is set to deteriorate into a "very ugly turf war" that could put the public in danger, an expert in bikie behaviour says.
Monash University professor Arthur Veno, who has studied bikie gangs for more than
20 years, says worse is to come after Sunday's gang brawl between the Comancheros
and Notorious at Sydney Airport, in which one man was bashed to death.
He said violent clashes would continue while the gangs fought over who was running
Sydney's Kings Cross illegal drug scene.
"Yesterday was nothing compared with what's on the scene," Prof Veno told AAP.
"We're looking at groups arming rapidly ... the war will wage on until someone fills
that niche in the drug market in the Cross, because that's the way it works.
"These guys are basically being drawn into what is basically an Underbelly situation
and it's looking very, very scary."
The turf war also went back to in-fighting between Sydney and Wollongong branches of
the Nomads bikie group and the forming of the new "bikies without bikes" gang,
Notorious, Prof Veno said.
Notorious gang members had "made some very serious mistakes in terms of breaking
cast-iron rules of war" that forbade bikie violence being carried out in front of
gang members' families, or the public.
Bikie clubs would not "take this easily" and violence could now break out any time,
anywhere, Prof Veno said.
"Once the rules of engagement move away from being focused on the individual, clear
of bystanders, clear of family, you're vulnerable anywhere."
He said making gangs illegal and jailing gang members was proven not to work.
Instead, Prof Veno said police should intervene urgently on public safety grounds
and force any club "declaring war" and posing a public safety risk to surrender all
emblems, symbols and trappings of the club.
A public panel of citizens would need to be appointed and assured that "an
alternative form of conflict resolution" was in place before clubs could re-form, he
said.
"This public safety measure really needs to be added quickly," Prof Veno said.
Monash University professor Arthur Veno, who has studied bikie gangs for more than
20 years, says worse is to come after Sunday's gang brawl between the Comancheros
and Notorious at Sydney Airport, in which one man was bashed to death.
He said violent clashes would continue while the gangs fought over who was running
Sydney's Kings Cross illegal drug scene.
"Yesterday was nothing compared with what's on the scene," Prof Veno told AAP.
"We're looking at groups arming rapidly ... the war will wage on until someone fills
that niche in the drug market in the Cross, because that's the way it works.
"These guys are basically being drawn into what is basically an Underbelly situation
and it's looking very, very scary."
The turf war also went back to in-fighting between Sydney and Wollongong branches of
the Nomads bikie group and the forming of the new "bikies without bikes" gang,
Notorious, Prof Veno said.
Notorious gang members had "made some very serious mistakes in terms of breaking
cast-iron rules of war" that forbade bikie violence being carried out in front of
gang members' families, or the public.
Bikie clubs would not "take this easily" and violence could now break out any time,
anywhere, Prof Veno said.
"Once the rules of engagement move away from being focused on the individual, clear
of bystanders, clear of family, you're vulnerable anywhere."
He said making gangs illegal and jailing gang members was proven not to work.
Instead, Prof Veno said police should intervene urgently on public safety grounds
and force any club "declaring war" and posing a public safety risk to surrender all
emblems, symbols and trappings of the club.
A public panel of citizens would need to be appointed and assured that "an
alternative form of conflict resolution" was in place before clubs could re-form, he
said.
"This public safety measure really needs to be added quickly," Prof Veno said.
