A ban on New Zealand citizens wearing or displaying symbols of gang affiliation in public went into effect, with police officers making their first arrest for breaking the law three minutes later, according to AP News.
The man was driving with a gang emblem displayed on the dashboard of his car, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said.
The ban was part of new measures aimed at strengthening police powers to disrupt gang activity. Under the law, wearing or displaying the insignia of 35 listed gangs now carries a fine of up to NZ$5,000 (US$2,940) or imprisonment for up to six months.
The New Zealand government, which pledged to crack down on gang crime before elections last October, said the measures would reduce membership of groups responsible for violence and drug offences. However, critics argue the law violates civil liberties and could lead to underground gang activity.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon backed the new legislation.
Gangs aren’t community groups. They’re not a Rotary club. They thrive on destroying the lives of other New Zealanders, whether that’s by peddling drugs or through brutal acts of violence that leave communities in fear.
Under the new law, officers can also disperse public gatherings of three or more people, ban some gang members from socialising with each other and enter the homes of those who continue to break the law. Gang membership will also be taken into account by the courts when sentencing offenders.
However, facial tattoos with gang symbols are not covered by the ban, nor is wearing gang colours. Moreover, the government has been criticised by some for failing to include white supremacy groups in the list of 35 organisations covered by the new law.
The New Zealand Police list of known gang members includes about 9,400 people, whereas the country’s population totals 5 million.
