Vandalism in Manukau is rife but vigilante justice should not be condoned.
That's the view of Daniel Newman, Manukau city councillor for Manurewa, who has spoken out today after Bruce Emery's manslaughter conviction.
Emery, a 50-year-old businessman, was accused of murdering Pihema Clifford Cameron, 15, by stabbing him with a knife.
Emery confronted the teenager and a relative after he found them tagging his property in Manurewa on January 26.
Mr Newman said it was a tragedy that a 15-year-old boy lost his life, which has devastated his whanau and Emery's family.
But he said the community must also confront the wider issue of tagging and personal safety in Manukau City.
"The perception that Manurewa is not a safe place to walk and travel after dark is rife. The vandalism of property is real and the fear of young people roaming the streets after hours creates a dangerous mix, which on this occasion had a tragic consequence," Mr Newman said.
His message to the public and the media was to reflect upon what has happened.
"It is not acceptable for young teenagers to be smoking cannabis, consuming alcohol and roaming the streets of Manukau City in the dead of night spraying walls and fences with graffiti. This death could have been prevented if Pihema Cameron had been at home in bed, asleep with his family," Mr Newman said.
He pointed out that the findings from the 2008 Citizens Perception Survey in Manukau City revealed a community that is deeply concerned about a perceived sense of lawlessness in parts of the district.
"At a time when recorded violent crime has increased in the Counties Manukau police district, the community is demanding that the commissioner of police increases the number of sworn police officers who work the beat in our neighbourhoods.
"We must do everything possible to prevent criminal acts and restore public confidence that our community is both safe and protected.
"We must also take urgent steps to ensure that young people are not roaming our streets at night. Fifteen-year-old boys have no place roaming the streets of Manurewa after dark," Mr Newman said.
Manukau resident and father of 13, Akeli Vaoga, 40, said he would not tolerate any bad behaviour from any of his children, who range in age from four to 23.
He too has been plagued with the problem of taggers. He has previously chased taggers off his neighbours' property.
"I came home and saw them on my driveway spray painting my neighbours' fence. I thought that's going to be my property next," he told NZPA.
"I yelled at them and scared them away. I said if I'd caught them I would've run them over.
"I think the jury was right to convict Emery of manslaughter, as he didn't need to take the knife with him, and I don't think he was acting in self-defence.
"I don't think spray paint should be sold at all. If you stop making it, kids can't carry it around.
"My kids are never out on the streets at night..."
