More patrols, more arrests
RCMP step up foot patrols downtown, doubling the amount of people in cells
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 23, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
RCMP officers have been pulled from their desks to walk the streets of downtown.
RCMP have increased their presence in downtown Yellowknife by making some of their members work overtime, resulting in more arrests. Here, Staff Sgt. Colin White talks to a passerby on 50 Street during a foot patrol in August with municipal enforcement officer Adam Mahaffy. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo |
Insp. Frank Gallagher, Yellowknife RCMP detachment commander, said he's been asking members who normally work in an office to pull overtime shifts on foot patrol.
With the members pulling double shifts, Gallagher said he has been able to schedule more foot patrols over the weekend. Presenting his monthly crime report at city hall on Monday, Gallagher told the mayor the outcome of the extra patrols has been more arrests.
"The result is a doubling or tripling of people in cells," Gallagher said.
The extra patrols were scheduled as a response to a public request for more police presence downtown, Gallagher said. The members pulling overtime for patrols is temporary, he said, but it will allow him to determine if the extra patrols make a difference.
"We may not need extra patrols if there's other alternatives," Gallagher said.
City councillor Bob Brooks said he's encouraged by the police presence.
"I'm happy to hear about the foot patrol results," he said.
"In the future, there could be less arrests as people become more aware of the police."
Gallagher was more cautious, saying it's too early to see what difference the foot patrols make.
"We're looking at what? People not seeing them hanging around in the streets? Less calls for service? Less danger on the trails?" Gallagher told Yellowknifer.
The RCMP hope to work with other agencies in Yellowknife to address public safety concerns.
"Enforcement is only part of it. We're starting from a policing side of things. Hopefully other agencies will kick in."
Gallagher mentioned working with the Department of Health and Social Services on difficulties downtown, but said there's no set plan yet.
