Mount Isa police have seized five weapons and arrested 19 people as part of a community safety blitz across Mount Isa.
Operation Citadel launched in mid-October, aimed at disrupting, and preventing offending, removing dangerous weapons from public spaces and enhancing community safety.
As part of the operation, Mount Isa Tactical Crime Squad alongside local police conduct high-visibility patrols and metal detection wanding operations under Jack’s Law.
Almost 100 people have been scanned in authorised locations like licensed premises and shopping centres as part of the operation so far, with five weapons seized and 19 people charged with weapons, drug and other offences.
On November 5, during high-visibility patrols of a Mount Isa City shopping centre, police scanned a 21-year-old man who was found to be in possession of a knife down his pants.
He was charged with possessing a knife in a public place and was due to appear before Mount Isa Magistrates Court on November 18.
The same day, police engaged with a group of teenage boys to conduct handheld metal detection scanning.
As police were explaining Jack’s Law, a 14-year-old boy attempted to leave.
Officers followed the boy, who made admissions to possessing a machete in his backpack.
The machete was seized, and investigations are ongoing.
Mount Isa District Acting Superintendent Erin Shawcross said Operation Citadel is focused on keeping the community safe.
“This ongoing operation has already shown the impact of Jack’s Law in helping remove dangerous unlawful weapons from our public spaces,” Acting Superintendent Shawcross said.
“We are committed to proactive high-visibility policing efforts across Mount Isa, to deter anti-social and criminal behaviour, and ensure our communities feel safe.”
