Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Liard (Jun 29/01) - With an increase in crime in Fort Liard over the past few years, the community's RCMP detachment is expected to comprise four police officers by August.
Cpl. Kevin Boyce said there has been a general increase in calls for service, with 1999 being the busiest year and last year not too far behind.
"Our prisoner count was up, and the expendable cash (in the community) was high with all the work and money around," Boyce explained.
There has been a bit of a lull so far this year, but the oil and gas industry could boom again at any time, he noted, adding that the RCMP in Liard are also responsible for Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte.
Mayor Joanne Deneron, who met last year with a senior-ranking RCMP officer over the lack of police presence in Fort Liard, said she is pleased to know more help is on the way.
"Our main concern is the number of vehicles that bring in liquor and drugs into the community," she said. "We'd like more enforcement with the highway so more people would be checked properly."
The extra officer will be a boon, but she noted that someone is always on course or on holidays, so there rarely will be four officers in the community.
Cpl. Boyce has been transferred to the St. Albert detachment in Alberta. Const. Craig Seafoot is being promoted from the Fort Good Hope detachment.
Const. Dwayne Latham is relocating to Fort Smith. Kim Lackey, of Fort Smith, will move into Latham's position. Const. Robert Harkin arrives from Swan River, Man., this summer. Const. Shaun Pike will remain in Fort Liard.
