BREAKING: Queensland has just enacted permanent legislation empowering police to use metal detectors on individuals in public to combat knife crime. The law, known as Jack’s Law, was implemented on October 13, 2023, in memory of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed in 2019 during a night out at Surfers Paradise.
Police Minister Dan Purdie announced the law’s expansion, stating, “This is about giving police the tools they need to detect and deter knife crime, and prevent more families from living through the heartbreak the Beasleys have endured.” The legislation now allows police to use metal detectors across the state, not just in designated Safe Night Precincts.
Jack’s parents, Belinda and Brett Beasley, have tirelessly advocated for reforms since their son’s tragic death. “We made a promise to Jack that we’d make sure something good came from this tragedy, and now, thanks to this law, lives will be saved,” Mr. Beasley emphasized. “We’ll never know whose life is saved because someone was caught with a knife before they could use it, but that’s the power of this law. It works.”
The law comes after successful trials initiated in April 2023 under the previous Labor government. During this trial period, authorities reported seizing 1,190 weapons, making 3,248 arrests, and laying almost 5,000 charges. Over 122,000 people have been scanned, highlighting the law’s immediate effectiveness.
The expanded legislation permits police to randomly search individuals without requiring reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. While officials laud the law as a necessary measure to enhance public safety, a state-funded report warns of potential issues with “stereotypes and discrimination” and the risk of “surveillance and harassment.”
Following Jack’s murder, five teenage boys were charged; three were acquitted of manslaughter, while a 17-year-old received a 10-year sentence for murder, serving just 7 years. Additionally, a 20-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter, receiving a 7-year sentence.
This move represents a significant shift in Queensland’s approach to public safety and knife crime prevention. As families and communities rally around the Beasley family’s legacy, the hope is that Jack’s Law will lead to a safer environment for all Queenslanders.
For now, the focus shifts to monitoring the law’s implementation and its impact on public safety. Authorities urge the community to report any instances of knife crime, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that tragedies like Jack’s are prevented in the future.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Queensland takes a bold step forward in protecting its citizens.
