Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Coppermine (Nov 26/01) - A rash of vandalism and break-ins has people in Qurluqtuq fighting mad. More than 40 are banding together with the RCMP to form Citizens On Patrol, or COPS.

Alister Harvey: "Vandalism has gotten out hand in the community."

Since Qurluqtuq detachment commander Cpl. Grant St. Germain's arrival two months ago, there have been more than 80 Criminal Code violations in the community.

"Right around 40 to 50 of those were property-related crimes," said St. Germain.

"It's been quite harmful to businesses in the community," said Chamber of Commerce president Alister Harvey. "Basically, vandalism has gotten out hand in the community."

COPS is a community policing initiative used in several communities across Canada. Citizens are trained to keep an eye out for crimes being committed. Often, they go out in pairs with radios or cell phones.

Police train them in observation techniques. If they see a crime being committed, they make a detailed description, and notify police.

"Part of the idea is that if the bad people in your community think other people are keeping an eye on things, then they'll think twice about what they're doing," said St. Germain.

Following a series of break-ins at the Qurluqtuq Awareness Centre and the Business Service Centre, St. Germain held a series of community meetings to gauge support for COPS. More than 100 people showed up at one, and 42 have expressed an interest in volunteering.

St. Germain said he expects that 10 people from the community will sit on the committee.