I would like to respond to your front page article and editorial in the North West Star published online on May 30 (print edition of the North West Star, May 31).
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I have always made myself available to speak with the North West Star, especially if you are seeking clarification.
Your front page story states that I suggested that violence in Mount Isa is mostly perpetrated by ‘itinerants’ from the North Territory.
That is not correct.
Any long-term local can tell you our town experiences a spike in crime around this time every year.
And it will also increase as our annual rodeo approaches and more people visit Mount Isa.
I meet regularly with senior police in Mount Isa to discuss a range of issues faced by our town and how the community can work together to address crime-related problems.
I also speak with the Police Minister Mark Ryan, Bob Atkinson, who oversees the government’s youth task force, as well as a number of stakeholders and associated agencies.
Together we helped form a response to a number of crime-related issues across our region.
These include issues of domestic violence, employment and alcohol and drug abuse.
It is no coincidence that our local police – who this year have been reinforced with extra officers from the Public Safety Response Team - run a special operation in and around Mount Isa at this time every year.
There is no benefit in placing our heads in the sand and pretending we don’t have a crime issue in Mount Isa.
Police figures show offences against the person have increased by 20 per cent from 2006/07 to 2016/17.
We have also seen an increase in assaults, robberies, car theft and unlawful entry over the past two years.
Mount Isa prides itself as a being a friendly town and a great place for people to visit and enjoy our unique culture.
But it is important we all feel safe in our homes, businesses or just walking the street so we can all enjoy what Mount Isa has to offer.
Comment from Robbie Katter, KAP state leader and Member for Traeger.