Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Providence (Jan 02/03) - The hamlet's three RCMP officers were kept busy over the holidays.

Between Dec. 20 and Dec. 29, the detachment received 36 complaints.

Cpl. Marc Coulombe described the holidays as "steady."

"The only time we've been busy like this has been Mackenzie Daze," Coulombe said.

"I'm talking anything from assaults, accidents, break and enters, sexual assaults, mischief."

Alcohol was involved in the majority of incidents, he noted.

Among the eight reported assaults, one Fort Providence man in his early 20s was arrested in connection with attacks on two women on Boxing Day.

Fortunately, no medevacs were required for any of the assault victims, said Coulombe.

There were five break and enters, the majority of which involved the theft of liquor and money.

There had been a string of break-ins prior to Christmas, too, and the police have a couple of suspects, he added.