General News
9 October, 2024
Don't use social media to report crimes, say police
Police responded to anti-social behaviour at Centennial Place in Mount Isa after complaints were made on Facebook.
Police have defended their response to a rowdy and drunken gathering at Centennial Place last week, claiming the area was constantly under CCTV surveillance and no complaints were made by any member of the public.
A group of more than 30 people had gathered at the public space on the corner of Miles and Grace Street on Tuesday and Wednesday last week and could be seen with numerous bottles and boxes of alcohol and playing country music from a large speaker.
Following a police move-on direction being issued, Mount Isa City Council workers were called in to remove broken glass and rubbish from the area.
Mount Isa officer in charge, Senior Sergeant Adrian Rieck, said multiple infringement notices were issued for public consumption of alcohol and police disposed of alcohol located at the site. No one was charged with a public nuisance offence.
He said police had been monitoring the area in both patrols and CCTV surveillance – but could only take action if individuals were seen consuming alcohol.
Senior Sergeant Rieck said despite social media chatter about the incident, there were no official complaints made to police.
“We would ask the public to not simply go on social media and complain but instead phone police if they see something they believe is not appropriate,” he told North West Weekly.