Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 27/98) - RCMP honored local businesses last Friday for coming up with the cash for a new van that will be used to improve community relations.

RCMP Supt. Terry Elliott presented each company with a plaque stating that the van was, "one perfect example" of the businesses "help us to help you keep the community safe."

Since January, RCMP school liaison officer Maria Williams has been using the van to visit local schools, including Kaw Tay Whee in Dettah. Williams has conducted classroom discussions, participated in physical education classes and transported students on field trips.

"It's proactive rather than reactive policing," says Williams, "We want students to see the positive side of policing."

In the fall, Williams and five other officers will be instructing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, commonly known as DARE. It's a 17-hour course RCMP bring into Grade 6 classrooms to educate students on how to deal with peer pressure and how to say "no."

Contributing companies include Northwest Transport, Nuna Logistics, NWT Rock Services/McCaws, White Bear Chrysler, AON Reed Stenhouse Inc, Ars Trucking and Welding, BHP Diamonds, Braden Burry Expediting, Buffalo Airways, Canadian Tire, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., Great Slave Helicopters and Miramar Con Mine.