Maria Canton
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 16/99) - Police have been chasing down several leads and tips from the public in their efforts to find the suspect or suspects in the two sexual assaults on Yellowknife women from two weeks ago.

"We've been checking all suspects that we get leads on," said Const. Denise Potvin.

"Everyday we're getting more calls from the public and following through on all of them."

All tips are being forwarded to investigating officer Const. Christine Grant, who originally responded to one of the complaints two weekends ago.

The two victims have gone through the difficult and emotional task of looking at police file photos, but have had no luck in identifying them.

One woman, however, says she would be able to identify her attacker should she see him again.

"She has told us that she is positive that she could identify him if she saw him again," said Potvin.

"Both women have looked at photos, something that is very difficult for victims of sexual assaults."

Investigating officer Grant is continuing to take leads from the public on this matter.

Zero tolerance

The downtown summer foot patrol continues to deter after-hour criminal activity and public drunkenness, says Const. Denise Potvin.

On the streets during the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. since May, the RCMP has had extra officers patrolling the core area.

"Criminal code offenses in the downtown area are almost down to zero this summer," says Potvin.

"Traditionally we have a lot of assaults after bar close, but the additional presence has knocked the number down to almost nothing."

The separate, designated foot patrol team frees up the regular detachment members to do a more comprehensive patrol in the other areas of the city.

"Officers are reporting the odd weekend that is quiet, which is unusual for the summer," says Potvin.

After the bars close, RCMP foot patrols are visible on the streets as a means of encouraging people to go home and stay out of trouble. The idea isn't to find people to arrest and charge.