Experts divorced from reality!

Kia Ora,

I can't believe what I just heard on the radio. A so called expert on drug use, though I got the impression they were an academic, stated that the hits by police & customs on drugs have resulted in a rise in price. It is what they said next that floored me. The rise in price will result in less addicts & more looking to enter rehab.

That may happen in the long run but what is going to happen is a rise in crime & in particular violent crime as people become desperate to get their fix.

Having known an ex drug addict or two, they made the point that when the price went up they just increased their criminal activities. One was a burglar during his time as a drug addict(Heroin, Cocaine, marijuana), another hit vehicles to repay his drug dealers for his free marijuana.
Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to their History, Chemistry, Use, and Abuse
Other areas that will see an increase is fraud by employees who are addicts & an increase in prostituition.

Fraud will impact on businesses to the extent in the current economic climate probably send one or two to the wall. As if the economic climate isn't causing a big enough rise in crime on its own.

Prostituition is of course now legal in New Zealand, but that doesn't mean it is something that is good for the mental well being for the participants. Many of those in the industry start to pay for their drug or alcohol addiction & others get into drugs or alcohol to cope mentally with having to be a prostitute due to financial pressures. So it becomes a vicious cycle.
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto
It seems that on every subject we rush to the 'experts' who have to generally have an academic qualification but no real world experience.

When in the Netherlands in the mid 80's the locals told us that they got upset everytime the police had a crack down on drugs. It always resulted in a rise in crime.

Although I think for the long term good for the country of course there needs to be a crack down on all drug use.

As I said in the long term it may have the effect they were talking about. Short term it means a lot more work for the NZ Security Industry & the NZ Police.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

The Wheel goes round & round & round!

Kia Ora,

It seems in the time I have been writing these blogs the same subjects keep coming up here in New Zealand.

Over the last two nights it is back to arming the NZ polic again.

But it all comes back to having the resources & the training.

In previous posts I have talked about the mindset of the NZ Security Industry & the police not being ready for real security. It is not just about the training but the mindset which the NZ police would acquire if they were required to carry firearms at all times.

What I didn't realize though, until one of the reports highlighted it, was the total bureaucratic mess the police have to go through to arm themselves with the weapons they may have in the vehicle. It shows a mindset that hasn't faced the reality of the crime now on New Zealand streets.
In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection
It is only in the last few months that there has been a more general acceptance that more security need body amour. In the main though the NZ security industry refuses to see how it needs body armour or arming itself.

If the NZ Police are doing it or thinking of doing it then security should be doing it.

Why because it is often a security guard that arrive at these incidents prior to police alone. Then after an incident if someone is required it again is security that is called upon, usually again a lone guard.
Terrorism Financing and State Responses: A Comparative Perspective
Mean while here in NZ the wheel goes round & round & round!

This weekend it will be out of control drunks or another high speed police chase resulting in death where the police are blamed for an idiot running from them or another policeman facing an armed criminal without the ability to protect themselves.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Coming up against a countries Mindset when yours has moved on!

Kia Ora,

An article appeared in the Sunday-Star Times yesterday about how Rob Nicol the players representative for Rugby,Cricket & now the Athletes Federation is criticizing the New Zealand Olympics Committee's(NZOC) security plans for the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al Qaeda
The problem Rob Nicol is dealing with is his exposure in particular through the issues surrounding the cricket tours to the sub continent has shifted his mindset in regards to security. Although I still don't think he or his advisors have fully grasped yet the threat to New Zealand, the biggest issue is he has moved on but New Zealand has not.

The NZOC has come back & pointed to the fact that the New Zealand government was best placed to offer security information.
I have had that said to me as well. Yeah right. Until the country is able to change its mindset then it is unlikely the bureaucrats who advise the government will change theirs & that is unlikely to happen until the first suicide bomb goes off here.

That is shown when the bureaucrats put together the new security personnel bill had no idea of what security face on the streets of New Zealand & made no provision for likely threats in the future. Or as I say it's only good use is as toilet paper.

But the NZOC is only reflecting the attitude of the country as are the bureaucrats.
Terrorism - A World in Shadows (Box Set)
The spokeswoman for the NZOC says it has seen the security plans for Delhi & they are in accordance with international best practice.

In the process of getting keeping my businesses moving until they become self sustaining I have had to carry out a variety of work. Everytime I hear the words 'best practice' I know that is exactly what it isn't going to be. I know many others think the same way as soon as those words are uttered.
Inside Terrorism
So Rob Nicol has a task ahead of him as you just can't change a nations mindset. In fact if you look at the US, the Oklahoma bombings, once it was realized it had been carried out by a US citizen no permanent mind set change occurred. If it had it is less likely 9/11 would of occurred.

This issue is part of the thought process I had to go through when looking on how to provide security & came up with the 0900 Suspicious concept. How do you provide really effective security without expending your energy in trying to change peoples mindset.
Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind
Or as a quote used by Robert Kiyosaki on financial education says "Don't teach pigs to sing as it annoys the pig & wastes your time". In other words educate by doing, not trying to change someone.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Facebook promotes more crime in New Zealand!

Kia Ora,

It seems that clocking up numbers is more important to Facebook than actually checking on sites as they are set up.

The latest is here in Christchurch a group was formed on Facebook(now been removed) promoting murder. It was under the name 'Christchurch Police Narks Snitchs as outlined in the article in 'The Press'.

One post allegedly named someone it claimed was a Nark with the comment "kill this bitch." Another allegedly contained "kill the narks," within its thread.

Facebook is a great way to keep in touch, but it really has to look at having local staff who vet the pages been created.

With these pages promoting crime seeming to been created at will & only coming to attention of the wider public as they grow, I don't see it too long before Facebook is sued or convicted.
You Can Count on Me: Learning About Responsibility (Character Education Readers)
Just in normal use Facebook for those that use it has a lot of good & bad depending on your tastes, but as something that is probably helping mould our future way of communicating it has a responsibility to stay within societies norms.

With postings like those quoted it is conceivable that if someone carries out the action then not only is that person likely to be charged with murder, but those who set up the page & ultimately the management of Facebook could be held out as accessories.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Why are some criminals so Dumb?

Kia Ora,

Talking to an ex army mate today & he is forever saying there is not the crime around I say as he never sees it. Then as we are talking happens one of those incidents that just make your day.

Two individuals show up on their bicycles across the road, but have their helmets strapped to their bikes. Then they go through the big look around to see if anybody is watching, just they don't see people inside buildings.
Crime and Punishment (Signet Classics)
Thinking that no one is watching they lift their bicycles across a fence onto private land then scoot across to another area of private land,& start ferreting around all the time keeping an eye to see if someone is coming or watching.

At that time though we were talking to police & keeping them updated.

They suddenly appeared to be leaving down the first part of private land, but actually were only stashing their push bikes & back packs before heading back to uplift a large item, which they hurried back to their bikes to begin breaking down, thinking they were unobserved & out of sight.

That was until the police dog unit arrived on site, followed by a patrol car. These were not kids & from a grouping that were easily idenitfiable.

Even the police could not believe these two had attempted to commit the crime in broad daylight in the most open part of the area.

My mate was flaberghasted at them been so stupid. But like I said to him "It's happening all the time, everywhere. You just have to be aware of it."

But these two would have to qualify for a nomination to the worlds dumbest criminals.
The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice
In the meantime more details have emerged from the death in the chemist shop. The owner saying he was surprised that after the search the burglar emerged from hiding. He has also criticized police response to Chemist break ins these days.

For the police though, as frustrating as it is which you have something suspicious or crime in your sights, it comes back to lack of resources & manpower.

Again there was the on going debate of police pursuits. Since it is odds on that the people running have been involved in other crime the police have no option but to chase. It doesn't matter if they chase or not, if there is an accident from the poor driving which is more than likely, then it eats up more valuable resources.
In Their Own Words: Criminals on Crime
As was reported the resulting deaths from Thursday night did not stop another four chases occuring last night within Christchurch city. That might not seem a lot to people overseas, but as a senior police officer mentioned this is in a country that used to get one high speed chase every two years.

In fact I could hear the boy racers drag racing at times down one of the two main roads nearby last night. There always had to be a reaction. Biggest problem is New Zealand driving is some of the worst I have seen in the world. Put high powered cars together with people with poor skills (no matter what they think, their skills are poor generally) then it is an accident waiting to happen if police are involved or not.
Media, Crime, and Criminal Justice: Images, Realities and Policies (Wadsworth Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice)
But then those drivers are as bright as our two friends with their daylight burglary. Idiots one & all.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Here we go again!

Kia Ora,

Well the news last night was another crash resulting in the loss of life due to a 'police pursuit'.

Straight away the finger was pointed wrongly at the NZ police.

It doesn't matter these days what happens the finger is never pointed at those who are at fault.
Policing Today
Earlier this week we had the break in of a chemist store that resulted in a scuffle then the death of the offender.
It has now been revealed that the offender had not long been recently released from prison in part for causing a death in a vehcile accident, but also burglary & drugs offences. He was a career criminal from information out so far.

But it is the owner of the Chemist store that is under investigation.

That is not the police fault though as they are just their job as required. The finger just gets pointed at them. They are dammed if they do & dammed if they don't.

Then the night I was attacked there was a police chase resulting in the drivers death. It is now my opinion that that crash & those that carried out that attack were connected. The two survivors were in hospital with me that night, feeling very sorry for themselves.
Why? They were with a criminal. He was at fault.
Policing Today
Three weeks later there was the accident on Morehouse avenue here in Christchurch which resulted in three deaths.
On this one I got a bit of a shock when the photos of the two males who died were published. It appears to me they are two of the people who attacked me. The police though been so busy have not been able to get back to me yet, so I cannot confirm that by identifying the person who first fronted me if he was in that vehicle.
Picture of the funeral of one though gave the impression he was involved in the gangsta culture.
Policing Ontario: The Opp Today
Then we get to the accident last night. Well known to police, disqualified driver in a vehicle with no warrant of fitness or registration first sighted doing nearly double the speed limit(how not to attract attention).
All the traffic accidents have been in Christchurch & just as I write this a boy racer has tried to do a burn out just out front, followed by what sounded like a crash. But on going outside there is nothing, so lucky this time but we are expecting one again.
Policing Today& Mycrimekit Sac Pkg
All ready the media is focussed on what the police can fix.
Why the police?

It is quite clear from the above examples that previous crime is an indicator of the likely hood of someone running. That & the media focus on how the police disengage if the driving gets too dangerous. Not to mention video games & movies that glorify it.

What the focus should be on is how the police are underfunded, lack the numbers to impact on all crime & in major metropolitian areas need helicopters in the role of what the military know as force multipliers.
Policing Insecurity Today: Defense And Internal Security (Ceri Series in International Relations and Political Economy)
The other area is driver education in school. At present the economy world wide is collapsing. One way to cut some of the unemployment is to add extra requirements for the school system such as drivers education. It would mean more time in the system but would require instructors, but down stream it is likely to cut costs invovled in death & injury, not to mention costs to police where funds could be focussed elsewhere.
Policing Western Europe: Politics, Professionalization and Public Order
In general NZ driving is extremely poor & so starting with good driver education could change that.

But we have to stop blaming the police everytime there is a crash as a result as a 'police pursuit' or as the NZ Police Association called them 'fleeing driver incidents'.

The only person to blame is the driver of the car that flees the police.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

What is ill informed comment?

Kia Ora,

Over the last day there have been many reports on the incident I wrote of in the last blog. Many of them have been far off the mark in accuracy & others just pie in the sky.

The early reports stated that the security guard had found a body on responding to the alarm which was corrected by a police release.

Last night one media outlet claimed security had missed the intruder, when police have not released details as investigation is on going.
CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition (Exam SY0-201)
So what is the difference between some of that & what someone like me in this blog make statements about incidents.

Experience!

As I said in yesterday's blog, it is common for burglars to set off an alarm then return after they think everyone has left. In this case there is a large hole in the rear wall of the building, so experience tells me that it is likely once the alarm activated. The burglar has exited, watched the security patrol leave then waited sometime before re entering, not realizing that the key holder is still on site.

Burglars I have caught do not like confrontation, although when drugs are involved it changes the dynamics.
CompTIA Security+ Deluxe Study Guide: SY0-201
Could of the key holder & security guard missed the burglar?

Yes! As I pointed out yesterday, though the time period between alarm & call for police would tend to support the returning scenario.

But where you can find a burglar hiding would astound people & no matter how thorough a search can miss someone. When you talk to firemen about where they have found people in a burning building (in cupboards, head in toilet etc) apart from the toilet pose within the NZ Security Industry you will hear stories of similar places used.

One that springs to mind is a security guard arriving at an alarm to find nothing, but as they were leaving noticed something odd with a panel of an advertising hoarding.

So they left, but doubled back to observe.

After about five minutes suddenly the panel moved out & out slide two burglars dressed in wetsuits(in an oviously failed attempt to not set off sensors)who suddenly found themselves faced with security & police.

It could of been easily missed.
Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals
So there is a difference between sensational style media coverage with no view to facts or experience & opinions based on experience in the industry.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Threats can come from anywhere!

Kia Ora,

Early this morning New Zealand time a burglar alarm activated. The key holder responded once a security guard informed them of a break in. Together they entered & searched the premises but found nothing, upon which the security guard left.

Shortly after the Key holder was confronted by a male & a scuffle resulted. The male has died as a result.
Skylink SC-1000 Complete Wireless Alarm System, Off-White
Up until the last paragraph that action takes place many times each night in New Zealand alone.

Upon discovery of a break the guard has waited for the key holder. Depending on the instructions left with the monitoring company often police will not be called. Although in this case it been a Chemist store, police should of really been informed immediately on finding of a break.

It is here the first threats have to be considered. Drug addicts are a likely suspect & on any break no one should enter without back up. Hence the guard waited to escort the key holder.
Lorex LW2702 7-Inch LCD Quad Digital Wireless Surveillance System
Together they carried out a search with no result. One problem with two people is unless they are both on same wavelength areas can be missed.

One good team I often work with through subcontract work stick to the basic's year in, year out where each person has their own system, but each can be relied on to cover all nooks & cranny's in their assigned area.

I know of one guard who could not find a sign of a break on arrival, so entered on two alarm activations only to find the burglar holding on for dear life in the rafters of a store room just by chance on the second visit.

Now we still don't know what has happened in this incident that resulted in the death.

There are two scenario's. One the person was missed in the search.

The other which I would think is most likely & have seen it on several occassions, where a break happens, security & key holder respond, check the place out, usually the key holder remains to summon someone to fix break &/or clean up then leaves. On one occassion they could get no one in so altered the camera's & left.

When the burglar thinks that no one is on site they again enter the premises(often this happens several times) to carryout the burglary( on the occassion alluded to above there was some very good footage of the people at the bus stop on the first activation,driving a car up & climbing through the already broken window).
Security Awareness: Applying Practical Security in Your World
At all times there is a threat & it can come from any direction. It can be on an alarm activation or just on a routine check as a mate found out when he was hit by a jemmy bar over the head.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Slavery been promoted for New Zealand!

Kia Ora,

During the last week in the local Christchurch newspaper 'The Press' there was an article with the title "Every Kiwi needs qualification - CPIT head", CPIT being the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

The drive to have all people with some qualification is nothing short of slavery.

Problem with the system is the same all over but as an example will outline why it is a waste of time & money in the security industry.
Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II
I was first alerted to how this works whilst in Iraq. The majority of people were there due to their military background which requires a high level of training & courses.

A former member of another countries special forces said "what is going to happen is there will be a requirement to have a qualification but the courses will have very little to do with or up to the standard required to do the work here." So it has transpired with most work over there now requiring internationally recognized qualifications(which incidentally don't include NZQA) that from feed back have no relation to the work been done.
Modern Industrialism and the Negroes of the United States
We have the same here in NZ across all industries. People with experience are been passed over or told to get a qualification to gain employment only to find they have little relevance to the actual work or are of a poor level.

In the security industry there has actually been a move backwards from the initial set up & there is still a few good training establishments, but most have people getting into large debt, only to find they have no knowledge of security at the end of it, are of such a low standard that real security businesses will not hire them or they can not be employed under the provisions of the Private Investigators & Security Guards Act 1974.

The bill to replace that Act is at this stage only good for toilet paper & any requirement for training is not going to raise any standards, but just lock people into low paying slavery.

True training is important but it has to be relevant & just as important is experience. Especially in a profession such as security.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Too little, too late! The seed has been sown!

Kia Ora,

After yesterday's blog I went back to look at the Facebook page in regards to riots in New Zealand. It appears to have been removed.

But it is too little too late!

The seed has already been sown for problems down the road.
Sexual Dynamics of Anti-Social Behavior
When you have a site which has over 21,000 people connected to it, just by deleting the site does not stop the thought processes.

There is now the belief out there in the community that should the All Blacks loose during the Rugby World Cup 2011 here in New Zealand it is ok to start a riot.
Executive Function & Self-Regulation in Children
21,000 might not seem a lot of people but if all of those are in NZ or plan to be during the Rugby World Cup then out of a population of four million people that is a significant amount. Enough to get the ball rolling on mayhem & destruction.

I know that probably 99.9% of the NZ Security Industry at present are not trained in riot control or ways to stop it before it gets out of control.
Bad by-products of religion: How the pious twist truth, persecute freethinkers, commit crimes, advance unsupported claims and in other ways indulge in anti-social behavior
To counter that even if they know of it is tricky for the police. Make too much of it then it gives it wider appeal, but there needs to be communicated the punishments faced for anyone who instigates a riot or tries too.

Just taking the page off Facebook is too little too late. Social media such as Facebook have to take social responsibility & actually stop these types of pages before they are allowed to get their message out.
Children Who Hate: A Sensitive Analysis of the Anti-Social Behavior of Children in their Response to the Adult World
That they have 500 million users is no excuse. When you have these business models you have responsibilities & it doesn't stop just taking the page off when you receive a complaint.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Facebook helps promote criminal activity in New Zealand!

Kia Ora,

How is Facebook helping to promote criminal activity in New Zealand?

By allowing a page to be formed calling for riots is the All Blacks loose in the Rugby World Cup 2011 here in NZ.

What those that set up the page do not realize is they most likely can be prosecuted for incitement to riot.

Tonight the police here in Christchurch will not have a great night as the local Rugby team lost. It would be a lot worse if they, the Crusaders(professional team) or All Blacks lost in the city itself.

Yes a lot of people on that page will be on there just for fun, but there is a growing number that will be on there to happily take part in any anti social activities that would break out if this situation arises.

The NZ police have said that they are ready for any eventuality & are preparing for issues at the Stadia.
Antisocial Behavior: Personality Disorders from Hostility to Homicide
But what if the issues arise away from the Stadia? Most New Zealanders are not going to be able to attend the main games live as they have already been seen to be far too expensive for most.

It is doubtful that the police or NZ Security Industry will be ready for too many incidents at once of this type.

So gatherings in town centres or hospitality spots such as Party Central will be where it starts as people get angry over the loss & it would spread quickly. If people already have a common belief, as promoted by the Facebook page, then it wouldn't take much to spark riots.

One of the six requirements for a riot to occur is a common belief.

Social Media can be useful, but it also can spread quickly messages that can have far retching consequences such as text messages to out of control parties that the police regularly have to deal with.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Ignorance will increase physical violence!

Kia Ora,

It seems ignorance, that in many instances revealing itself as racism, is starting to impact world wide. By people remaining ignorant will only increase tension & physical violence.

This has been shown by the revelation that a growing number of Americans now beleive Barrack Obama is Muslim. There are a number of people since he was elected that have been clinging to any shred of talk against him as proof he is not good for the US.

Whilst here in New Zealand the current governments attempt to clean up the Foreshore Seabed Act has also drawn a reaction from an ignorant group that have little or no facts to back their claims, but they are drawing on the racist leanings of others to gain traction.

It is all highly emotive & a former army comrade called me racist for pointing out the facts & that I gained them as a member of a tribal ruling council.

Their reaction was based on my skin colour which immediately exposed his racist leanings. Been Maori is not about your skin colour but your whakapapa(geneology) & they are no different than the Maori who also judge me by my skin colour(been light skinned).

We all have prejudices, it is just part of human nature, but it goes too far when we start using it as an excuse for violence.
Racism: A Short History.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Southern History
The fact both issues are so emotive will easily lead to violence & as the worlds economy is still looking to worsen so will the divides in communities become more noticeable.

That means the increased violence police & the security industry have been seeing (in NZ during the current calendar year) will only continue to increase.

The hardest part is getting the messages past the ignorance so people actually make considered decisions.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Tackling Crime. The messages are confusing!

Kia Ora,

Tackling Crime can be confusing when the messages given out are.

Yesterday was a classic case.

Was reading 'The Press' & there is an article claiming burglaries in a part of Christchurch are falling. More like a fall in reported burglaries as the police don't show up or if you have a fax they send you a form to fill in.

So people just don't report a burglary. It is not uncommon for the police to be calling for people to identify items they believe taken in burglaries. Residents of one area were quoted recently as saying "well it wasn't major & we didn't think anyone would show up" or words to that effect.

The report goes onto say reporting suspicious activity is key to cutting burglaries. I agree, but when you do it you get the third degree & no one shows up.

For instance the night I was attacked recently, a few minutes earlier I was able to get footage of two persons running from the vicinity of a business premises after hearing some noises. They then jumped into a hidden vehicle. Police comms were called with registration number of suspicious vehicle as did not see them on site.

But experience told me that the likelyhood of them having been on site committing crime, since there were car wrecks there & their vehicle was a boy racer type, was pretty good.

But the person I got was deliberately slowing things down & treating me like I was the criminal. How can the police on the street do their job effectively if they are not getting the support?

Reporting suspicious activity is the key element of the new service launched under Foxhound Security Ltd. This was because such a large amount of crime is not reported. In fact one media outlet once placed it at 95% of crime & 96% of violent crime is not reported in New Zealand.

By impacting on suspicious activity, you impact on crime & this has been proven time & again by those of us who actually provide security. Unfortunately within the NZ Security Industry that is few & far between especially when you are told not to provide it by the majority of the industry.
Designing Safer Communities: A Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Handbook
To add to the confusion yesterday on talkbackzb I heard part of a conversation with what appeared to be someone promoting neighbourhood support. Just from what I heard the message for the same area that the article focussed on was totally opposite of what was in the article.

Then today the message that an area nearby is getting hit hard with thefts from vehicles. This is a common pattern, when the police are targeting burglaries & making an impact, the criminal elements move onto vehicles.

That is the idea of the new service as it targets anything suspicious. Just another aid to the police.

Only issue is altogether NZ Police, the NZ Security Industry & groups like neighbourhood support all need to be on the same message.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Ground Hog day in New Zealand!

Kia Ora,

Anyone reading my blogs will see some common themes coming through again & again, but as the saying goes "Ground Hog Day."

Part of the reason for writing these blogs has been the frustration with the NZ Security Industry & its lack of dealing with security as it should be, not how it continues to be practised.
Marijuana: Its Effects on Mind & Body (The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Drugs)
Today in the Sunday-Star times was again the argument over marijuana. A recently retired police officer even saying police should be targetting the harder drugs.

Problem is this is generally where it starts.

Not only that in my experience it is the worst of the drugs. This view has been backed up to me by former drug addicts & one who describes himself as a marijuana addict.

It impacts on health, any psychiatric illnesses are likely to be highlighted based on experience as a security guard dealing with psychiatric patients, & probably most of all you see someone bright turn into someone slow witted & un motivated except for crime to buy their next joint.
Marijuana and Its Effects & Alcoholism in the Workplace & Coping with Hyperactive Children - What to Know / What to Do (Three Booklets for the Women's Christian Temperance Union WCTU - Lancaster County, PA)
In fact the Marijuana addict told me that he was given as much marijuana as possible by his dealers who then would get him to steal in return & at that stage his claim was he had never been caught.

But everytime the NZ police carryout a major raid or something goes wrong over an arrest involving Marijuana there is this outcry about over the top police reaction.

One person even claims that the police over reacted when he had a numerous number of plants growing at his place & firearms. The fact that he used firearms in his work is neither here or there.

He was breaking the law & firearms were found. The police only have to point at Napier as too where firearms & marijuana can lead.

They haven't destroyed his life. He did that himself.

But as they say 'Ground Hog Day' as the same arguments are trotted out.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

New Zealands vision of itself versus visitors perception once here!

Kia Ora,

Spent yesterday at an expo & talking to locals, we talked about the so called good security at the latest All Black Rugby test here in Christchurch. At the same time a letter to the editor of 'The Press' from a visitor to that test challenged the image of New Zealand.

Then today we have complaints against how police acted when clearing a party recently here in Christchurch with police response.

Just as i write this there is an item on TV about knife crime in Britain with the comment on how New Zealand could avoid it by been on top of things.

First thing first. The comments of locals who attended the Rugby test which was viewed as a test for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

After it was all played up they said they expected, with what they were carrying, to be searched but apart from been asked "do you have anything in there?" they were waived through.

So net result a big 'F' for fail again in basic access control. That will not or should not be acceptable to those who are in charge of Rugby World Cup Security.

Next was the letter from the visitor to the local newspaper. There was a lot of discussion around on how it was 'only a few bad eggs'.

Afraid not & the visitor would of seen a lot more of that behaviour had the All Blacks lost. When in the security industry you see too much of the idiot brigade in Christchurch often carried out by the last people you would expect & it has been getting worse.

New Zealand needs to grow up quickly if it doesn't want to embarrass itself if the Rugby World Cup takes place here. There is still enough time to transfer it to Australia if New Zealand can not get its act together in two related areas. Security & behaviour.
Visitors are generally shocked by the poor behaviour, especially once alcohol is involved, of these lovely Kiwis.

Speaking of behaviour in particular bad behaviour, it is now seen acceptable to question any actions taken by the police despite the fact that the people in question are more often than not breaking the law.

The situation this time was a party that someone had started a fire at, police were requested by the fire brigade & on arrival had bottles thrown at them.

I don't see the police had any option but to take aggressive action. The fact that some were apparently sitting quietly when hit & pepper sprayed is of no consequence.

If you associate with what are essentially criminal elements then you have no excuse to complain when the authorities take action. The police have no way of knowing who is what, when they move in on what appears to be a large party. Of course everyone is innocent after the fact. Guilty by association.
What are visitors going to make of the drunken violence that abounds in this country?

Of course the last item knife crime in the UK & the comment that NZ needs to keep on top of it.

Too late the horse has bolted on that one. A recent comment on police in Christchurch was that virtually every person they arrest these days has a knife on them.

So any visitor entering NZ thinking they are coming to a nice safe place needs to think again. It can be very enjoyable with a lot friendly people, but visitors need to take the normal precautions they take at home & maybe learn a few local things or places to avoid.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Bit of a Cheek really! NZ commenting on others Security!

Kia Ora,

Talk about stating the bleeding obvious. Some cables from the NZ High Commission in India have shown that they expect possible terrorist attacks on 'Soft' targets during the Commonwealth games.

Have said that before that India might get hit, but also have said India is a bit like Britain. Just get on with life.

But talking about 'Soft' targets that is New Zealand across the board & it will have an effect as not only New Zealanders view New Zealand as unlikely to have a terrorist attack, but so do many outside the country. The Rugby World Cup 2011 is an even better reason for an attack.

But if you think like a terrorist,then New Zealand is a prime target as it will have an effect way beyond any casualties caused.

'Soft targets that sprinbg to mind right away are the Rugby Road in Christchurch & Party Central in Auckland.

It is the job of High Commissions & Embassies to provide these assessments to their governments but in this case it is a bit cheeky to comment on 'soft' targets in other countries.

New Zealand would rate as the softest, juciest target going. Or as an Australian businessman said "Apathy reigns."

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Best use of Resources. Do the bureaucrats understand it?

Kia Ora,

Today we have the head of the NZ Police Association arguing not only for every frontline NZ Police officer to have a taser on them. He is also arguing, quite rightly, that the rules governing their use need to be made more realistic.

It appears the rules have been written by the same people who came up with the Corrections services policy on body armour/stab vests.

It is also the mentality I get when people question why I wear body armour to events such as childrens shows.

No good waiting for the threat to be there & then say "stop there mate I have to go get my body armour on." It just doesn't happen. When the threat appears, it is at the most unlikely times.

In NZ & in particular the NZ Security industry as well as with bureaucrats what they need to learn is to plan for the worst case scenario. In fact it is an OSH requirement, but it is not the NZ mindset. It is more, let it happen then have four investigations & blame those involved.

Instead it appears they have the police, whilst assaults go up against them,leave their tasers in vehilces until the situation requires it. No common sense used there!

Although I don't think NZ needs to go where the first advert does with buying a taser (in pink even) online.

Bureaucrats need to realize that though it may cost in the first instance, having all Corrections officers in vests or all officers wearing their tasers would in the long run cut the costs involved with inquiries or injuries that could of been prevented.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

How changing the Welfare System will affect the Security Industry?

Kia Ora,

The New Zealand Government is looking to change the welfare system because it is costing so much & the country cannot afford to keep things as they are. That is true & it is a realization that is currently going on around the world.

But before they make any moves they need to look at the system, what needs fixing & what are the likely consequences of any actions.

Whilst some countries are increasing their welfare system as the fall out of the economic downturn continues with major problems down the line, others are trying to cut the systems back.

The problem is if you just cut it back with no real thought crime, which is already exploding, will just go through the roof. So that means more work for the security industry as if it wasn't going to rise with the coming economic crisis(if you think it has been, you ain't seen nothing yet) as it was.

Basically the system is nothing but a bureaucratic mess where they only people who really benefit are the bureaucrats who keep their high paying jobs.

Recently I was approached by someone to work for my company who was on a sicknesses benefit. They were well trained, qualified & had the right attitude, but at present being a small company with the normal cash flow problems the only way to employ them was if the welfare department came to the party.

Wasn't going to happen as the person already had the training & experience, but they would pay for someone to train. Not in service we are offering. People need the expereience & training along with right attitude to do it as it can be dangerous.

Of course the bureaucrat told me that we should make work less dangerous. Excuse me but that is the real world. It is dangerous especially for security.

So the system is so inefficient it is as likely to turn people to crime as find them a job when they want one.

Just by cutting the benefit would not fix problems. Cut the budget there they had better bulk it some where else like in Corrections service(Prison) & Police so in reality no real cut in spending.

Not to mention that the bureaucrats giving the advice have no real idea about business.

What they need to do is more in line with what was tried by Sir Robert Muldoon with DFC(Development Finance Corporation) in the late 70's early 80's. Need a few more checks & balances but would need to be manned by business people not bureaucrats.

If we can create more jobs then you cause crime to drop or at least no increase more than it currently is likely too.

Security is one of those industries that you always need. Even more so when the world is falling apart & cutting welfare is just going to increase crime. that means more work for the security industry.

The NZ Security Industry is just not up to it at this point in time.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Rugby World Cup Test is a shambles!

Kia Ora,

After the Rugby World Cup test of systems in Christchurch the powers that be are hailing it as a success, but it appears to be a shambles & that is just based on what was on the media. Not to mention the scathing report from one Australian reporter & some letter writers to editors.

First response to the security set up was astonishment. The police system was been overseen from Wellington using technology. Well that is great, but it needs to be the people on the ground who make the decisions as if you are hit by a terrorist attack.

As I have said before you have about 30 seconds to react if it is a suicide bombing.

Technology is only ever an aid & after watching that any group planning an attack would be planning to disrupt those communications. I saw this done by a commander of mine when I first joined the army & were enemy for visiting US forces. They were so reliant on the communications that they had to send a vehicle down to ask us to stop as they could not function.

The police commander was heard to say that people are not arriving fast enough. Shows he does not know his community. Christchurch has this thing that everybody arrives up in last 30 minutes.

The Venue actually have said this morning that the crowds were arriving a little more even than normal. So there is a disconnection between the police commander in Wellington & the venue in between the understanding of local quirks.

Next we are hearing that the Rugby Road worked great. It is a terrorist attack waiting to happen on the way there & it is a riot waiting to happen on way back if the local team looses.

On the way to the stadium there are greater crowds & as suicide bombers work in groups all you need is a few spread out a long the route & mingle with the crowds. Or watch where the bottle necks are & place IED's. What was noticeable from footage was the lack of security along the route.

There have been a lot of comments in last few weeks about New Zealand fans been boorish. Actually they are becoming the worst sports fans you can have. The abuse of visiting fans or players & watch out if they loose, especially in Christchurch. Destruction of property & fighting is the norm.

Much has also been made about the number of staff at the stadium in the lead up to the game. From experience most of them would not be security so that makes the claims even more laughable. To comply with international standards there would have to be nearly 400 security staff as much for health & safety issues as anything.

That might seem overkill but should say a suicide bomber detonate a vest in the stadium there will be panic. Especially in NZ where such things are thought never likely to happen & then in that moment 400 will not be enough.

New Zealand needs to wake up & wake up quick. All the technology in the world is only ever an aid. Stop looking at this through rose coloured glasses. Saturday night was a shambles.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Terrorist Raidss! Why do people feel they are picked on?

Kia Ora,

Well have been taking part in a forum where the discussion stemmed from the terrorist raids in the Tuhoe area here in New Zealand in the last few years.

For those that are not in NZ, what happened was after police surveillance, the NZ police raided an area where the Tuhoe Iwi(tribe) is based. From memory 17 were arrested country wide, only two really with connections to Tuhoe, but the community was raided with roads blocked off where the training had allegedly taken place. Most of those arrested were from eco green groups & one person even had an arab name, which in itself is not suspicous but when connected to terrorism things take a different slant.

The first thing to come out was people say the raids were wrong as the charges were thrown out & new ones under another act were drawn up.

That is not what really happened, the charges were thrown out as they were brought under the new Terrorism act which the judge pointed out was badly written.

That is what happens when politicians listen to bureaucrats who have no idea what they are talking about. By not knowing they were not ready & rushed through bad legislation.

The same is happening with the new security personnel bill. Though not rushed the bureaucrats have no idea what they are talking about, so have produced some finely written toilet paper which will be shown to be inadequate & then some very rushed bad replacement will come into force.

Next some are complaining that they were not connected with any terrorists (depends on whose definition as there are so many it can range from work place bullies right through to organized crime & groups such as Al Qaeada, eco greens, anti abortionists) & their children were targeted.

If you let gangs, terrorist organization or drugs & you keep your kids with you then you can not expect otherwise as distasteful as that might seem. Basically it is your fault for putting your children in that situation. Bad parenting & poor community responsbility, no matter what rights you have to grievance as Tuhoe genuienly do.

In recent history there have been enough examples of children been used to carryout or assist terrorist attacks or activities. Vietnam children throwing grenades at vehicles or laying improvised IED's, South Africa kids throwing grenades into vehicles (participants in both have told me how hard it was to shoot towards children to keep them away), Northern Ireland people of all ages placing improvised IED's with magnets against vehicles used by security forces.
Whose terrorism? A classroom activity enlists students in defining terrorism and then applying their definitions to world events.: An article from: Radical Teacher
Whilst working in Iraq knowing this we were looking for the IED's & grenades. In Afghanistan it has been taken a step further with children been used as suicide bombers (so far apparently unsuccessful).

On a lessor level children are often used to carryout criminal activity on behalf of their parents or other adults. Only today a report came out of a 12 year old selling drugs at school on behalf of family.

In this situation in particular Maori have this habit of defending those issues which are destroying us as a people. Gangs/terrorism drug use, child abuse, domestic violence & the list goes on.
Terrorism: definition, justification, and applications.(Terrorism. The Philosophical Issues )(Book review): An article from: Social Theory and Practice
People such as police do not find it easy to point firearms at children as many of them are fathers, but like going into a hostage rescue situation you have to treat everyone as a terrorist until you are sure otherwise.

If I remember properly at the time the police also detained a school bus. Funny thing is when acting as enemy party on one exercise we used a school bus to elude friendly forces to move to a new area of operations. We train to learn from those sort of experiences.

On another exercise the enemy party stole a military ambulance & managed to use it to eliminate some high ranking officials. Rest of exercise & since Ambulances have got a good going over at least by NZ forcs.

In Iraq on more than one occasion insurgents used ambulance to good effect & there was always the rumour of a fire engine fitted as a suicide bomb.

Instead of complaining they should say, "why did we get targeted?" & What can we do to ensure it doesn't happen again?"

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

They still just don't get it!

Kia Ora,

Tonight is the All Blacks vs Wallabies Rugby test here in Christchurch & it is being used to test security & other systems prior to the Rugby World Cup 2011.

National news has just shown police going through the Stadium checking for explosives. If there is a real terrorist threat then that has to be mainly carried out by the NZ Security Industry to free up Police resources that maybe required elsewhere.

Two issues. The police don't like to let go of these roles & the NZ Security Industry in general has no idea what to look for. Those of us that do, are continously told we know nothing about security.

Today I was visited by an old army mate who drives taxis at present. We were talking about how roads have been blocked off prior to the game. Of course he was more concerned about his taxi business, until I pointed out the likely terrorist threat & where they would strike if they did under this new format.

Immediately he switched on to how it would be used.

Just after that I went shopping & bumped into another former comrade who had carried out a stint demining on behalf of the UN.

The threat & how to carry it out was so obvious to us, but coverage just seen showed no one was prepared. If you haven't trained to think that way or experienced the way these attacks are carried out, then it won't seem obvious.

As the second person said "it is not if, but when a terrorist attack occurs."

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

New Zealand just plays at Security!

Kia Ora,

The family that is the New Zealand military & ex serving personnel has been in mourning over the the last few days due to the loss of the first person in Afghanistan.

That might seem insignicant to those of the US & UK who have lost so many, but with our small numbers it hits hard.

But it also brings into perspective real security versus the way New Zealand & in particular the NZ Security Industry in the main just plays at it.
Mark of the Lion: The Story of Capt. Charles Upham, V.C. and Bar
The military is the highest level of security & the reason for that shows in the threats they face.

That does not mean, as is thought by many in the NZ Security Industry, that when you leave you know nothing about security.

Said it before that the principles do not change through all levels, just you can not use a tank in downtown Christchurch to deal with boy racers as much as it would be nice too at times.

Probably the biggest difference is the awareness.

When in the military & in particular when on operations or even training you are very aware of your surroundings & that doesn't change once you leave as it becomes part of you.

So for example when you drop a level to PSD work, the requirements come naturally to someone who has been in a military environment.

The same in a normal security environment. You make yourself aware of what is going on around you that way there are less surprises.

That is one of the things that actually makes New Zealand so dangerous. It appears a lovely place & still could be but the NZ Security Industry takes the attitude that anything not on their clients premise has nothing to do with them. True they don't have to respond to it, but they should be taking notice. So they only play at it.

Probably though the thing that makes NZ so dangerous is much of the crime there is no reason behind it & it is so random. By only playing at security we have allowed this situation to develop.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Corruption in New Zealand & how it affects us all!

Kia Ora,

Recently New Zealand again basked in the glory as one of the least corrupt countries in the world.

But is it?

In fact I would say it is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Corruption in New Zealand though is not about money under the table so much as to how the bureaucrats, both in public service & big corporations, work.

Basically they deal with issues by finding the flimiest of excuses to not deal with them.

When police deal with people they have a saying that goes something like "we deal with the bad, mad & sad."

Police & security world wide deal with the bad & that is not likely to change.

The mad you can split in two. Those that are generally mad from mental illness & as security guards you often have to deal with them as well.

But the other mad is those that are angry, frustrated & slide into the sad category as well.

It is those that are in that part of the mad or sad group that costs a country & in most cases you can trace it back to bureaucrats & their corrupt ways.

Recently here in Christchurch there was an incident that highlighted were this takes people. One person got so frustrated that they rammed & damaged a number of parking meters. Another rammed his vehicle through the front doors of IRD(tax department).

Others take even more drastic action & resort to weapons.

All this ends up in the lap of the police often by way of the security industry having to deal with it first.

Just the other day a person I was talking too, was serving someone from a telecommunications company & they effectively said they were there getting lessons of how to sideline customers who were complaining.

Several years ago someone actually asked a question about this to talkback host Kerre Woodham at newstalkzb.

Kerre gave an interesting reply. "the difference is years ago the public servant was a cardigan wearing man whose job it was to ensure enough people were trained & things in place so that everything flowed smoothly. Now we have a corporate model which is inefficient & everyone is running around fufilling meaningless goals that don't add to the effective running of the country." or words to that effect.

She was right. Whether you are in a capitalist or communist or what ever society you want, bureaucrats are there to ensure the smooth running of things & provide service. Not practicing corruption by not dealing with issues, therefore frustrating people into acting rashly.

The author of this book R. Buckmeister Fuller was once told by a member of one of those families that essentially run the worlds economies, "Bucky I like you, but you will never amount to anything as you want to make things simple. To succeed everything needs to be complicated." or words to that effect.

You could say the world at present time is the the product of that as trillions are being stolen from normal people by making them so complicated, no one understands them.

The problem is as people become more aware of what is going on & become more frustrated it could finally blow up in their faces.

New Zealand seems a real nice place on the surface. It is promoted as clean & green, safe environment amongst other things. But it is none of them. A small population base just confuses the issue until people start doing the per captia projections.

All the while in the front line an ineffective NZ Security Industry & increasingly hamstrung NZ Police Force have to deal with the situation.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

End of boy racers? Yeah Right!

Kia Ora,

The headlines in the Christchurch 'Press' was "Bylaw drives out boy racers". Not from what I have seen & heard & as one commented in article "the bylaw is not going to work".

Already I have seen new tactics. First weekend or so it was big fast moving groups, then a lot more single vehicles & the last weekend what appeared to be groups of 6 to 7 vehicles, the lead vehicle choosing a spot then carrying out a doghnut or burnout, before they all moved on.

What I would expect probably as early as this weekend is another challenge to the police in Christchurch by the boy racers, especially after those quoted comments.

It would even be worse if the All Blacks(NZ's national Rugby team-at present rated No 1 in the world) loose this weekend as that always increases problems especially when they play in the city.

At present though, with the boy racers dispersed it means there are a lot more police vehicles on the road, going by last weekend.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz

Bureaucratic Idiocy further exposed!

Kia Ora,

Another Saturday night, but a warm one for this time of year & so with the change in weather came the idiots. But it also exposed further where Bureastucrats fail in their thinking.

But it was the idiots that took my attention first.

For the last two warm nights there has been the noise of a grossly underpowered scooter(or so I thought) giving its all up what appeared to be the railway tracks from the sound.

On hearing yet another boy racer in the area(a lot of police as well for once but they never seemed to be there at the same time) I walked out to see someone on a motorbike sounding not unlike the wound up sewing machine model you could keep hearing coming around the corner like they were doing 200kmh(but only doing 50Kmh). It reminded me of what a mate once said about riding a bike spaced out on magic mushrooms & another on marijuana about how they thought they were going real fast, but in fact going very slow.

In fact the person on marijuana infamously came off his bike at 1km an hour thinking he was taking it at a 100kmh, so lent it over as if taking the corner at that speed.

I just hope he was not the bike later reported to police riding erratically in some suburbs towards the centre of Christchurch, to be found dead after a crash into traffic lights in another area.

It might seem to be stretching it to connect the two but more often than not they are.

What I forgot to mention in the previous blog was the most obvious issue that the bureaucratic plans for gritting the roads missed.

They only had the grit put on the corners. Yes that is where the accidents more often than not will happen but not where they start.

Leading into the corners is a couple of nice straights & not just the boyracers use it as a drag strip before having to break heavily as they approach the corners. Most of these drivers can not actually handle ice on the straight in the first place.

So not only did the bureaucrats waste money having grit put down 'after' a week of frosts the day before a forecast overcast day, they missed out half the places that it was really needed. They also promoted crime as vehicles tried to complete doughnuts/burnouts shortly after grit was laid, not to mention poor driving.

http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz