The green-eyed monster fuels violence in Kugluktuk

The Kugluktuk RCMP detachment is slated to see its permanent six members cut by one at the same time as the level of calls remains high. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)

KUGLUKTUK — This past summer Kugluktuk has experienced an upswing in violence, but not all of it is connected to alcohol abuse, Const. Brent Harris of the local RCMP detachment said this week.

“Violent crimes aren’t as alcohol-fueled as they usually are,” Harris said.

Instead, an increase in the number of domestic and other assaults in the community appear to be fueled — not by booze — but by the green-eyed monster: sexual jealousy.

Many people working at mines and exploration camps are out of Kugluktuk for two weeks or more at the time.

During their absence and upon their return to town they may hear stories about their spouses’s behaviour — which can result in violent domestic disputes, police say.

At the same time that the RCMP members are busier than ever in Kugluktuk, plans are underway to eliminate one position from the detachment.

The detachment now has six members and one trainee to serve the community of about 1,150.

“Can we manage with one less? Definitely, but I would prefer to see six members,” Harris said.

Overall, alcohol-related offenses have decreased since Kugluktuk’s 2007 liquor plebiscite voted in an alcohol education committee with the power over who can bring in alcohol and how much.

Despite the existence of these controls, police and people in Kugluktuk told Nunatsiaq News that local bootleggers continue to do a brisk business in alcohol, with vodka selling for as much $500 for a 60-ounce bottle.

While buying a bottle may be easy, provided you have the cash, it’s harder for police to stop the bootlegging.

That’s because most tips given to the RCMP about bootleggers are anonymous and lack precise information.

“It’s hard to act on a complaint when you don’t have many details,” Harris said.

Some people in Kugluktuk say they expect to see another liquor plebiscite in the near future that would abolish the alcohol education committee and lift all restrictions on alcohol orders into the community — even if that would be, as one resident put it, “a mistake.”

As it stands now, the committee meets weekly, with one RCMP member in attendance.

Its members generally refuse about one or two applications a week or move to reduce the amount of alcohol requested for purchase.

Police worry that crime rates will rise if Kugluktuk once again lifts all controls over the flow of alcohol — and that, with one fewer member in the detachment, police will be hard pressed to cope.

“If they take away the alcohol education committee again, we’re screwed,” Harris said.