Yellowknife (July 23/03) - Yellowknifers say the most prevalent crimes in the city are family violence, and abuse of alcohol and drugs, according to preliminary results of an RCMP community survey.

Two RCMP summer students, Shantha Rasiah and Lesley Brandford, released the survey's preliminary findings at a Yellowknife Community Wellness Coalition meeting at St. Patrick high school July 15. Rasiah and Brandford plan to ask 500 Yellowknifers 12 questions on crime in the city and how the public views police.

So far, they have the answers of 450, which includes a random sample of businesses.

The women came up with the questions after looking at surveys from other detachments, and previous RCMP surveys in Yellowknife. They will complete the survey by Aug. 1.

Rasiah said one out of three respondents to the survey said that the RCMP suffers from a personnel shortage.

The survey will give police an idea where the public wants to see police resources directed, she said.