A curfew petition is being distributed to local residents and businesses around Mount Isa in an effort to reduce youth crime in town.

Shaqeigha George instigated the petition and is calling for locals to acknowledge that the town has had enough of youth offenders.

"On the weekend my sister and grandfather's cars got stolen," Ms George said

"We notified people and spent hours driving around town trying to locate the vehicle and didn't see one cop car but saw an abundance of young kids walking the streets.

"It is ridiculous because every night someone is getting broken into or witnessing property damage. It is getting beyond a joke and we just feel like nothing is being done about it so we created this petition."

Ms George said a curfew may not be the answer to rid of youth crime but it was a step to finding the answer.

"I don't think that a curfew will work, but at the moment we need to start somewhere," she said.

"They have tried a curfew in Mount Isa a few years ago, it was a little bit successful but didn't eliminate the problem."

Ms George believes that parents of the youth offenders should be held accountable for their child's crimes.

"No one is taking responsibility for the youth crime, someone needs to be held accountable and pay for damages," she said.

"We are all tax payers and we work to have nice things. Majority of these kids parents are living off of Centrelink which is our friggin' money anyway, and they don't have to pay for shit but let their kids damage our vehicles and homes and no one is held accountable.

"Parents should pay for their children's crimes."

Ms George said the petition was available at multiple businesses around town and once people had signed the petition they hoped to have a meeting with local MP Robbie Katter or mayor Joyce McCulloch.

Mount Isa City Council mayor Joyce McCulloch said while she was open to discussions on how to reduce youth crime, evidence showed that curfews were rarely the answer.

"With every child that we see roaming the streets, there is usually a serious lack of effective parenting, and this needs to be addressed," Cr McCulloch said.

"I completely understand the current sentiment of the community and we are frustrated as a council, as we have no power as a local government to address youth curfews or juvenile crime."

Cr McCulloch said this issue required the state government to invest in family support programs, generational change initiatives, and a coordinated approach by all levels of government.

"I will call on our state member to make our case heard, and present some information to our State Government, in order for them ensure enough is done to protect the residents of our community," she said.

If you would like to access a copy of the petition you can email: Parkerkerry81@gmail.com

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