A local business owner says he has had enough of youth crime and questions how bad do things have to get before something is done.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Locally owned Mount Isa motel Cityside Accommodation was the target of two crime sprees in a matter of months and the owner Courtney Turnbull has had enough.
Mr Turnbull said he has been in Mount Isa 42 years as a local business owner.
"This is now the second time in a matter of months that my business as well as cars out the front have been smashed," Mr Turnbull said.
"This time there was five cars and one truck window broken into.
"Not only did they do the cars out the front they went out the back and proceeded to try and break into the units and motel rooms.
"My CCTV footage shows five juveniles aged between 12 and 17 which the police have confirmed their identity and said are known to them."
Mr Turnbull said they understood the crimes they were committing.
"The whole time they were wearing gloves and masks so they definitely knew what they were doing," he said.
"We will suffer now because people will say don't stay here because your car or room could get broken into.
"Our occupancy rates will go down and we still have to pay council rates."
Mr Turnbull asked what has to happen before something is done.
"All levels of government need to get off their ass because this is getting out of hand, peoples lives are at risk," he said.
"The creator of responsibility has always been accountability, hold people accountable for their actions and then we might make progress on youth crime."
Friend of Mr Turnbull Daniel Munns said the boys should be made to return to the scene of the crime.
"The young lads that did this should come back and be made to clean up the mess they made. We need a united front in the community to help solve this issue of youth crime, this is not about black or white, we are all Australian."
Mount Isa Police said the five perpetrators were known to police.
"Three are now in custody and we are searching for the other two, final matters are being finalised," a police spokesperson said.
While you are here subscribe to our weekly email to your inbox at 6am every Friday