Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 01/01) - Don't count on seeing too many more municipal enforcement foot patrols this summer.

Coun. Dave Ramsay has pushed for a more visible face on municipal enforcement this summer.

He says it will make the city safer and help out officers' public images.

Councillors discussed the idea at this Monday's priorities, policies and budget committee meeting.

But the conclusion was less than decisive: Councillors told administration to remember foot patrols as a priority and use them when time allows.

"We're not tasking them to go on the hunt," said Coun. Robert Hawkins.

Municipal enforcement division manager Doug Gillard said he will try to up the number of officers cycling along the Frame and Niven Lakes trails.

"We do what we can, depending on our manpower," he said.

With six municipal enforcement officers and one summer student, the division is pressed for personnel in the summer months. Higher driving speeds demand more time on the road while vacation season means a drop in staff.

Coun. Dave McCann argued that officers should be on the street not necessarily for enforcement, but for image.

"It's a personal, tactile kind of thing," he said.

Hawkins said more foot patrols would also help "build the strength of a safe community. ... If people know that they are around the corner potentially, maybe they won't be so rude and they'll act responsibly."

But Coun. Alan Woytuik cast doubt on the enforcement value of foot patrols.

"I question how much time of this is only going to be litter patrol," he said.