Brent Reaney
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 31/05) - The number of public disturbances in Yellowknife rose significantly in July compared to last year.

Police received 206 calls for disturbing the peace, compared with 151 last year. June's numbers were steady at about 225.

Last Wednesday's Yellowknifer Crime Watch for Aug. 9-22 showed 80 of 460 police calls were related public disturbances in the downtown area.

RCMP Sgt. Darcy Fleury said part of the increase may stem from officers approaching people causing problems before being called into action.

"We have been trying to find alternative ways of dealing with people," he said. "We've done a pretty good job of getting out there and making people aware of what they're doing."

Historically, the number of public disturbances seems to go up in the summer months, Fleury said.

Disturbing the peace can include anything from public intoxication to violating noise bylaws, to indecent exposure.

Unless someone is a repeat offender, most calls do not result in charges being laid, Fleury said, although often drunks will be detained for the evening.

"More often than not, we just remove them until they're sober and then they're on their way," he said.

A conviction for disturbing the peace could mean up to six months in jail.