Operation Whiskey Legion (OWL) is returning to Brisbane’s south for a major policing blitz in the lead up to the holidays.
Since April the operation has charged more than 4,160 people on more than 10,350 offences, supporting local police crackdown on high-risk, high-harm offenders.
This latest seven-day blitz marks the second time OWL has swept across Brisbane’s south.
Specialist police from Water Police, Mounted Unit, Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad, Dog Squad and Crime Prevention have surged into the district for the deployment to tackle crime from every angle.
From November 20 to 26, the additional resources will crack down on weapons, domestic and family violence, dangerous driving behaviours, property offences and engage with the community about crime prevention and safety.
The purpose of the operation is to disrupt and deter criminal activity while also increasing feelings of safety in the community.
Regional Operations and Youth Crime Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said everyone in our Queensland community has a right to feel safe and the Queensland Police Service is committed to reduce, deter and prevent crime.
“Our frontline police are always out in their local communities working to protect Queenslanders and prevent crime,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Kelly said.
“Operation Whiskey Legion supports local police by pouring in additional resources to take strong action against people causing harm in our communities.”
Crime Intelligence Command Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said to date, OWL has held more than 3,550 adults and more than 610 youth to account for offences.
“Some of these charges relate to serious offences such as domestic and family violence, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault, armed robbery, property crime offences and more,” Assistant Commissioner Connors said.
“The operation represents a whole of service effort to reduce crime across the state and help our community feel safe.”
“We expect to see similar positive results with the operation’s first return to South Brisbane.”
South Brisbane District Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said the operation builds on the work local officers are doing every day to keep the South Brisbane community safe.
“During this deployment our officers are cracking down on any offenders who impact our community,” Acting Chief Superintendent Pilotto said.
“From talking to neighbouring districts, we have the support for OWL to conducting border-less policing throughout this operation. Regardless of where the offenders who commit offences in Brisbane south are located, they can expect us to be holding them to account.
“We are also encouraging our community to interact with our officers at our mobile police beats and community engagement events to learn more about crime prevention and ongoing community safety initiatives.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
