Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 04/05) - Sitting among a group of adults and children chatting at a table, Graham Gurski is right at home as people around him enjoy a steaming bowl of soup at the Salvation Army, Sunday evening.

At the far end of the room, serving up that soup to the long line of Yellowknife's hungry, Roch Fortin also enjoys conversation and a few laughs with those patiently waiting in line.

"How're you doing tonight," Fortin calls out to two men as they reach the serving table.

Almost unrecognizable out of uniform, the two RCMP officers were seeing many of Yellowknife's street people in a different light.

Led by Const. Gurski, with inspiration from Insp. Fortin, they have embarked on a new concept intended to link the RCMP with the community through weekly dinners at the Salvation Army.

Fortin said it is a way to help the Salvation Army and a unique way to connect police officers with those who live on Yellowknife's streets.

"The only interaction a police officer has with that person is because he is either intoxicated or we need to take care of him because he is going to die or freeze," Fortin said.

With the buddy system, he said a different approach is taken.

Police mix and mingle and chat with people, creating a relaxed environment where friendships can develop.

"We work with the Salvation Army on Sundays and we serve dinner and match an officer with someone from the street," Fortin said.

"You form a bond with someone through a friendship, but it has to be made naturally between the two individuals, we cannot force it. It takes time," Fortin said.

"And if the police do it, nothing is stopping the rest of the community to do it also," Fortin said.

"Things like this in the community bring about new ideas," he said.

"Everything is linked with kindness. The less people that are put in my jail - the better it is for me. It's a form of measurement that we are doing good."

Sitting among a group of newfound friends, Gurski said the idea to bring citizens and RCMP together will create new, positive relationships.

"I can see already it's working," Gurski said.

Fortin said as a result of the buddy system, the involvement of his members within the community has increased.

"We're really starting to be part of the community the way we should have been a long time ago."

Shayne Kapolak and his parents, Sam and Susie Kapolak-Ohokgak, were enjoying conversation with Gurski during the evening meal.

"I like it," Shayne said.

Bobby Kaotalok said the program is "pretty good for people."

It was the first time Andy Kaotalok attended the Sunday dinner that draws up to 90 people a week, and he was surprised at the number of people.

"I like it, it's cool," Kaotalok said.

Since the program began three weeks ago, seven police officers have been involved and Fortin anticipates more will join in. From the Salvation Army's perspective, Captains Jim and Ute Merritt said the weekly community dinner is a good location to develop a one-on-one relationship.

"We're really pleased they are going to do community building," Ute said.

Jim said one of the goals of the Salvation Army is to help people make better choices.

"And the more resources people have, the better choices they are able to make," Jim said.

If an RCMP officer new to the city befriends someone who has lived in the city their entire lives, he said it becomes a win-win situation.

"It's not just to deal with illegal activities, but to minimize them by helping people make better choices," Jim said.