Rankin Inlet (Feb 11/04) - Rankin Inlet has the first Web site in Nunavut dedicated to an RCMP detachment.

Const. Alex Lyon says the idea of a Web site came about as a result of local detachment members exploring ways to better inform the public of their activities.

"We came up with the Web site, so I approached Sgt. Grant St. Germaine and he thought it was a great idea," says Lyon.

"I set out on my spare time and designed and implemented the site.

"I had no prior experience whatsoever in designing a Web site, so this was a new and exciting sort of field for me."

The new site, www.rankininletrcmp.com has been up for about three weeks.

One page is dedicated to the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, complete with pictures of the community, another page features photos of each detachment members, and another showcases Sgt. St. Germaine and the focus of the detachment within the community.

The site's start-up page highlights the detachment's mission statement, vision and values.

Lyon says he hopes to post statistics in the near future to show the number of break-and-enters, assaults and other calls answered in Rankin over a given time frame.

"We're doing that so people can understand what we're doing and the issues we deal with in the community.

"It's a good thing to have people more informed as to what's going on in their community," says Lyon.

There is also a page to send Const. Lyon feedback on the site, or to provide tips to CrimeStoppers.

"You can either call the CrimeStoppers 800 number, or send me a tip through this portal.

"But, I want to stress, the CrimeStoppers area was the smallest reason for doing the Web site and really doesn't play a very big part in the overall project," says Lyon.

Visitors can also look forward to a page featuring the detachment's School Talk program and an initiative of the month.

"We had more than 1,000 hits in one week, so it's getting the word out about Rankin Inlet.

"Rankin's a great community, so let's tell everybody about it," says Lyon.