An increase in reports of aggressive and threatening behaviour towards Mackenzie District Council staff has prompted the mayor to say he is also ‘fed up’ with being berated by the public.
Since the start of the year, the council had recorded six incidents involving aggressive and threatening behaviour towards council staff.
A council spokesperson said two of those involved intent to harm and three involved threats of violence.
“Council has observed an increase in reported incidents involving abusive, threatening, or aggressive behaviour over the past 18 to 24 months,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the council had a zero-tolerance policy for abusive, threatening or aggressive behaviour towards staff, and used protective screening and swipe cards to help manage volatile situations.
