Yellowknife (Mar 16/05) - Should Yellowknife police launch a new initiative against drug dealing in shopping malls? Or how about speeding in school zones?

Questions like these could soon be tackled by a proposed Yellowknife Area Policing Advisory Committee.

If city council gives its approval, a committee comprised of students, the school board and merchants could help set priorities for police.

"People want to see change; people want to be heard," said RCMP Insp. Roch Fortin.

Fortin introduced a similar committee in Mackenzie, B.C., when he worked as police chief there. He hopes community input in Yellowknife will help police deal with lingering problems like drug and alcohol abuse in the downtown area.

Councillor Doug Witty welcomed the idea.

"I do think any kind of extra communication between the RCMP and community will be beneficiary," he said.