Inuvik (Aug 11/06) - Inuvik law enforcement went into over time last weekend to deal with squealing tires and seatbelt violations.

"Lately, Inuvik has been dealing with some driving problems involving screeching tires," explained Cpl. Dino Norris.

Norris said the problem is partly caused by the new pavement around town.

"We see it more with the younger people, who are taking advantage of the new road improvements," he said.

Norris said that his detachment has been trying to educate drivers and inform them about the law with warnings.

"Screeching is illegal, and the community is concerned about being bothered in the middle of the night," said Norris.

Patrols were sent out on Saturday night to watch for anybody not wearing their seatbelt.

"We'll give people a chance to put on their belts once they see us, but some just choose not to use them," said Norris as he flicked the switch for his flashing lights to pull over an offending driver.

"I just talk with them about why they should be wearing the belt," said Norris after returning from the driver's truck.

"This driver just got a warning this time," he said.

Norris said the whole night was designated for the enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act.

"This is our community, and officers want to keep it safe," he said.

Norris said he would prefer to be giving only warnings out to drivers, but the occasional ticket is handed out when needed. "Sometimes we have to bring it to the next level, and you gotta lay paper down on them with a fine," he said.

Some tickets were written last week for people who were 'lighting up' their tires by squealing them on the roads, said Norris.

On a normal Saturday night, only two or three officers patrol the streets, but six were on the road on Aug. 5.

"We were even joined by Duane Debastien, the bylaw officer, which really helped us out," said Norris.

Norris said he would like to be out on the road all the time, but an officer's job is split between being on the road, and being behind a desk.

He enjoys his job, because he likes meeting new people, but Norris said there are downfalls.

"Ninety per cent of the time we deal with bad things in the community," he said.

Before the night was through Norris gave up a little known secret of the police radar gun.

"People may think we need to be parked to use it, but we don't," he said.