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PEHDZEH KI/WRIGLEY - After years of actively pushing for it, the community of Wrigley will be receiving a stronger RCMP presence.

The police force has leased a house in the community that will be used as a patrol cabin, said Sgt. Ron Prangnell, the new RCMP detachment commander in Fort Simpson.

The detachment will include two positions, one for a corporal and one for a constable, that have been specifically assigned for the purpose of enhancing the policing of Wrigley, Prangnell said.

"I think it's a positive thing," he said.

The two officers will stay in the community for up to three days a week using the house as their base.

The officers won't live in Wrigley full time and will have to return to Fort Simpson to file their reports, said Prangnell.

There are no definite dates for when the enhanced service will start.

The timing will depend on when the house can be furnished and when a radio tower can be set up to provide a line of communication, he said.

"It's one of my priorities to get the guys in there and working in Wrigley," said Prangnell.

Currently staff from Fort Simpson go to Wrigley when they are called. They also do regular patrols in the community, the sergeant said. The new service won't limit the RCMP to just three days in the community a week. "If there's an emergency in Wrigley we're going to go," said Prangnell.

A permanent RCMP presence will be positive for the community because officers will be able to work on community policing initiatives such as visiting the school. Prangnell said he's interested in doing "more pro-active crime prevention," such as bringing the DARE program to Chief Julian Yendo school.

The area covered by the detachment includes Jean Marie River. The post has five constable positions and one for a sergeant. The addition of the two new positions means the pressure on the detachment is reduced because staff for Wrigley are no longer taken from the Fort Simpson resources, Prangnell said. Acting Cpl. Cory Forsyth and Const. Blaine Rawles are currently assigned to Wrigley.

Chief Darcy E. Moses of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation said he's pleased the RCMP is finally committing more resources to the community.

"They really want to help us establish their detachment here," said Moses.

The officers will be more able to combat crime and issues like drunk driving, he said.

When the winter road opens, the community sees an influx of people who are driving under the influence of alcohol, said Moses, who, as a parent, is particularly worried about it.