Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Aug 01/05) - People living in Hay River's Old Town are talking tough over crime.

Vale Island residents say they are frustrated and angry over drug-fuelled crime, and some are threatening to take matters into their own hands.

They warn vigilantism is possible if police cannot protect them and their property.

That was a message to the RCMP when about 45 Vale Island residents gathered for a public meeting July 27.

Warren Gibb said some criminals might be in store for a "good old-fashioned Dodge City whipping" if things continue the way they are.

"We don't want it to go that way," said Gibb, who has not yet been a victim himself.

While crimes have only involved property so far, he is worried someone might get hurt or a child run over by a speeding car.

Nick Irwin warned that someone breaking into a home may end up getting a 2x4 across the head. "I bet he doesn't steal again."

Another man said, if he is ever awakened by an intruder in his home, he will deal with it himself, instead of calling the police.

One woman said the situation is getting scary.

"Someone is going to get hurt, either on our side of it or theirs. It's coming to that."

At the meeting, 15 people put up their hands when asked who had been a victim of crime. RCMP Sgt. Greg Downing warned against vigilantism.

"You can't go there," Downing told residents. "It's against the law and you'll get support from nobody."

Commenting after the meeting, Downing said prevention and education are the keys to dealing with crime, adding people can help police with information.

More violence

"We never support vigilantism," he said. "Violence begets violence."

Downing said he is confident no one would actually resort to vigilantism. "I have more confidence in people than that."

Hay River MLA Paul Delorey also spoke against vigilantism after the meeting.

"This day and age, you can't take the law into your own hands, that's for sure," he said.

Delorey shares people's frustration with crime, noting a business property he has on Vale Island was broken into just over a month ago for the first time in the decade he has owned it.

People at the meeting asked the police what force they could legally use against criminals.

Cpl. Jim Forsey explained a citizen can use reasonable force to apprehend a criminal, but then must call police. "That's a citizen's arrest."

However, he warned anyone using excessive force would be charged.

Crimes of opportunity

Many people at the meeting expressed concern about the sale and use of crack cocaine and break-ins they believe are fuelled by the drug trade.

They asked the police for advice on how to protect their property.

Forsey said 85-90 per cent of incidents are crimes of opportunity, such as when a person leaves a house or car unlocked, or leaves valuable items visible in a vehicle.

The corporal also advised people to take extra precautions if they have valuable items in their homes.

"This is making us sound like victims," responded resident Susan Lalonde. "We have to lock ourselves up."

One man said, while people are at work, others are cruising the community looking for break-in opportunities.

"Our stuff is getting stolen by people in low-income housing using crack," said the man, who requested anonymity when asked for his name after the meeting.

Fifty calls

Downing informed the meeting that, since Jan. 1, only 2.5 per cent of calls received by the detachment came from Vale Island, not including West Channel. That works out to 50 calls out of 2,300.

Three calls were for residential break-ins, one for a business break-in and three for illegal drugs.

There was one seizure of crack cocaine in the area.

Between 600-650 people live in Old Town.

For Hay River overall, Downing said there has been 15 charges laid for crack cocaine, and over $700,000 worth of the drug seized, since August of last year.

"What it tells me is there's a drug problem in Hay River, but Hay River is not unique," Downing said. "It's the same wherever you go."

The sergeant added not all property offences are related to drug abuse.

Downing defended the efforts of his detachment, including over concerns about sometimes lengthy waits for police to respond to calls.

The sergeant noted the detachment has more calls per member than anywhere in the NWT.

"We are the busiest detachment in the North," he said.

The detachment has nine members. However, two senior officers do mostly administrative work, while one constable is on maternity leave and another on long-term training. Some people suggested forming a Citizens on Patrol or a Neighbourhood Watch to help police.

Following the meeting, 18 people signed up for a community consultative group being organized by the RCMP.