Yellowknife (Apr 01/05) - A visible police presence throughout the holiday weekend resulted in fewer incidents of crime, said RCMP Const. Kerri Riehl.

Mounties responded to 150 calls for service over the weekend, resulting in 64 arrests who enjoyed at least part of the carnival in RCMP cells. Of those, 54 faced alcohol-related charges.

At last year's Caribou Carnival, 119 people were arrested for public intoxication during the three-day festival.

Stats from 2000 show police arrested 155 people for public intoxication during the festival.

"There was Citizens on Patrol, municipal enforcement and extra traffic services as well as extra members," Riehl said of what helped lower arrests.

"We were being visible," Riehl explained.

"Our focus was on foot patrols in the downtown area and patrolling liquor establishments.

"We also did frequent patrols of both arenas and we patrolled the curling rink," Riehl.

Five prisoners were brought to Yellowknife from other detachments, one person was arrested for shoplifting, one for possession of cannabis and one for sexual assault.

There were also three checkpoints over the weekend, but no-one was charged with impaired driving, she noted.

"People are realizing we are out there. I think it is a deterrent," Riehl said.

"Perhaps people who were going to drive decided to take a cab."