SAMOA – Members of a Samoan youth gang accused of vandalising properties in the Apia Township have said they are truly sorry for their behaviour.

And to show that they are genuinely remorseful, members of the Original Blood Outlaws – known locally as OBO – began a community project this week to clean up the mess they created through tagging and other act of vandalism.

One of the businesses vandalised by the youths with the name OBO tagged all over the wall this week received a fresh coat of paint.

From the Princessa Hardware Store at Vaimoso, the youths continued on by cutting the grass on some of the village lands.

An employee of said she was glad to see something being done.

“I’m happy the village council has stepped in,” she said. “It’s good to see that they are helping to keep the youths in line.

“We did not lodge a complaint with police or even with the village and I was surprised to see that they have repainted the wall.”

One of the youths, who declined to give his name in fear of repercussion from members of the public, said they have learnt their lessons.

“We are truly sorry,” he said. “We have put a stop to it.”

On Monday the youths were observed on their knees before the village council of Vaimoso begging for forgiveness.

Village spokesperson, Aulavemai Tafito Selesele said the village would not condone the formation of such groups.

“They have been forgiven but in moving forward if anything else comes up, it will not be tolerated and the village will deal with them,” he said.

“We do apologise to the country and those that have been affected and had their properties destroyed by the children.”

In the meantime, the village is gathering information and has found that not the trouble was caused by the OBO.

Aulavemai added that the village has selected a special committee to patrol the streets at night.

The village spokesperson said the gang has been told to stop all its activities.

“They have been told that the gang OBO can no longer be spoken of and will be erased starting from today,” he said.

The police in Samoa recently instigated a campaign called “Safe City Operation” by investigating reports of dozens of young people thought to be involved in gangs.

They say the gangs are threatening the safety of people going to night clubs and other public places at night.

Two of the suspects have been charged for the death of a 34-year-old man assaulted and beaten last Saturday.

The police spokesperson, Taupa’u Maotaoalii Kitiona, says the police have identified one gang, but believe there are several others holding meetings in isolated houses in Apia.

Police say the youths are involved in other criminal activities such as stone throwing and stealing money and food.

Village councils have been asked to help the police campaign.

- PNC