DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Records of police calls to the Deh Gah Gotie Senior Citizens Home in Fort Providence appear to conflict with what the region's MLA has stated in the legislative assembly.
Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli raised security concerns he's heard from people in the hamlet.
"Community leaders have come to me with concerns about security and safety at this facility. I've been told that the RCMP don't always respond to calls, and even the daytime staff and the nighttime live-in caregiver," Nadli said on Feb. 12. "These security issues are still affecting the health and safety of residents."
The home is an independent living facility that was built in the 1970s, Nadli said.
However, when RCMP were asked about what Nadli said, Const. Elenore Sturko stated in an e-mail that a review of calls for service was conducted.
That review showed 15 calls for assistance from the elder care home. Of those, she wrote that 13 were responded to as soon as possible, while another saw police attend once an officer started their shift.
Sturko wrote the call wasn't an emergency and people were not at risk by the time between the call and the arrival of the officer.
Police did not respond to one call during the 12 months reviewed because "an explanation was provided to the caller that the service requested was not one provided by police."
"Fort Providence RCMP value every member of their community, including its elders," she wrote. "The RCMP are committed to serving the community with respect and will continue to provide professional service to the people of Fort Providence."
Nadli said the band in the community has been working with the government to address security concerns at the home.
"Over the holidays, the band organized volunteers to visit with the residents and make sure they were not being bothered," he said.
Asked what the GNWT is doing about the home, Public Works and Services minister Tom Beaulieu said it has undergone a review "and there has been the determination that more services could be provided."
The NWT Housing Corporation, which is responsible for the structure, has issued a request for a proposal for a design required for the changes that are necessary, Beaulieu said.
