Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Coral Harbour - The Coral Harbour detachment of the RCMP launched its first community newsletter this past month.

The publication was started by Cpl. Chris Coles as a way to advise people of what's going on in their community, and to help them get to know the local RCMP officers a little better.

Coles said the hamlet might also put a piece in from time to time to let people know about upcoming special events.

He said the newsletter will be distributed around the community on a monthly basis.

"We did a similar publication when I was in Iqaluit, and we received quite a bit of positive feedback on it," said Coles.

"Now that I'm in Coral, I thought it would be an interesting way to engage the people and, hopefully, they'll enjoy giving it a look every month.

"It's another way for people to better understand the job we do."

Coles said a female elder came to support a young shoplifter at a restorative justice meeting when he was in Pangnirtung a few years ago.

He said at the end of the gathering, the elder thanked him for holding the meeting at the detachment because she had always been frightened of the building.

"I thought that was tremendously sad for an elderly lady to be scared of the RCMP detachment," he said.

"She told me she only ever saw drunk people, or people in trouble, being taken into the building.

"The meeting was the first time she'd ever set foot inside the detachment.

"So, the newsletter can be a valuable tool in letting people know what we do on a day-to-day basis and, maybe, cut down on some of the fear that may still exist."

Coles said the newsletter can inform people about things they can do to help make Coral Harbour a better community.

He said it can also let the public know about special projects the RCMP may take on in the community, such as helping out with a Christmas hamper, local organizations or students at Sakku school.

"It's really not a great deal of effort for me because I've worked in media for quite a while," he said.

"It only takes me a little more than a hour to throw it together.

"I write it up in Word Perfect, get it translated into Inuktitut and photocopy it.

"So, it has the potential to pay back big dividends for a relatively small amount of effort."