 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Pond Inlet rallies for airport security Deputy mayor says one person's actions have tarnished hamlet's reputation
Casey Lessard Northern News Services Published Monday, April 23, 2012
"The community decided this is what we'll do before we get any funding," he said of plans to raise money to pay a security guard. "It was unanimously agreed that this is what the community will try to do to show that we're giving an effort and that we were not satisfied with the news reports and that the whole community was affected." About 15 people attended the meeting called by the hamlet council after Canadian North said it would stop overnighting its planes in the hamlet if safety was not increased after an April 4 break-in to a parked de Havilland Dash-8. It was the fourth break-in to one of its planes in Pond Inlet in two years. The airline overnights its planes to give early morning access to Iqaluit so travellers can connect to the south and west. Those at the meeting agreed it would be good to fundraise locally to pay someone to guard the airport from midnight to 6 a.m., with the hope that the government will eventually take over that expense. Among those at the meeting were representatives from Canadian North and First Air, RCMP, the health centre, the church, Nunavut airports, the co-op, the Northern store, the crime prevention committee, the elders' committee, Tununiq MLA Joe Enook and several community members. Another concern was the perception that media blamed the community for Canadian North's concerns about security. "It had been in the news that Canadian North was fed up," Arreak said. "It seemed by the reports that the whole community was at fault. But we can say that out of 1,500 people, it was only one person who did that, and the community didn't support him or urge him to break in to the airplane. Pond became a bad name to the rest of the world." But ultimately, the blame rests on the person who broke into the plane and triggered the crisis. "Educating the people was also discussed," Arreak said. "There is no need to break into the aircraft. There's nothing to steal, and the whole community will be affected if someone should break into the aircraft." Canadian North is providing its own security for now. The government is implementing security measures, including a new video security system set to be in place by the end of May. No specific plans for fundraising were finalized, and a date for a future meeting has not been set. A 31-year-old man remains in custody until a May 8 court date in Iqaluit. He faces three charges, including mischief over $5,000, break and enter and theft, and breach of probation. Police allege he stole hand sanitizer and some cans of pop.
|
