At a committee meeting recently, Alderman Vi Beck suggested that the media should adopt a more positive role in curbing crime.

Earlier this month at a meeting of some community organizations, this newspaper was accused of sensationalizing the story of an increase in the violence on the streets of Yellowknife. Some at the meeting suggested the paper find a more positive focus.

This past summer, we heard a lot of talk from our readers about an unusual and frightening amount of violent behaviour late at night, on the streets. Reporters investigated the subject and we published what they found.

We reported crimes. We reported arrests. We asked people for their opinions and we published them.

People submitted their unsolicited opinions and we published them, either as guest columns or as letters to the editor. We encourage that.

When readers called us with complaints or questions we answered their calls as best we could.

Members of the business community told us of their concerns. The police told us that there was a problem to deal with. Teens came to see us. The Royal Bank installed a video surveillance system. City council debated the imposition of a curfew. The story was having an impact.

The presentation of the story was the decision of the editors. We felt that, given the public's response, the story merited extensive coverage.

When violence occurs on the streets it is news. When arrests are made that is news too, although, like the courts, we operate on the premise that an accused is innocent until proven guilty.

When politicians or police have something positive to say about the situation, we report that too.

While overall crime is down, RCMP statistics show that assault and sexual assault is up.

The nature and impact of these crimes are sensational. Just ask the victims. There is little about these stories that is positive. When there is, we'll report that too.

There is no question the RCMP knew for years what was going on in Wing Lee's room in the Gold Range hotel.