Crime rates drop as Nunavik police seize more bootlegged alcohol

The Kativik Regional Police Force’s new chief, Michel Martin, present statistics to a Kativik Regional Government meetings Sept. 16. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

KUUJJUAQ — Nunavik’s Kativik Regional Police Force says a drop in violent crime in the first half of 2015 is directly related to the increase in the amount of alcohol seized in the region over that same period.

That’s thanks to the work of the force’s investigation unit, the KRPF told the Kativik Regional Government meeting Sept. 16, which they say continues to bring in large amounts of illegal alcohol.

From January to July this year, police have seized more than $248,000 worth of bootlegged alcohol — more than double the amount in the same period in 2014, and four times as much as during the first half of 2013.

On the other hand, police have fielded 45 per cent fewer calls involving weapons and investigated 24 per cent fewer violent crimes in 2015 compared to last year.

“It’s very clear that alcohol plays a big role in crime rates in the region,” said the KRPF’s deputy chief Pierre Bettez.

Despite the promising figures, KRPF stats show that incidents of sexual assault have risen by about a quarter this year compared to 2014 — the majority of which are driven by alcohol.

But Bettez said this bump has a lot to do with the growth of the program Good Touch, Bad Touch, which goes into schools to educate children about sexual abuse.

Often following the delivery of the program, the KRPF will get reports from youth disclosing cases of sexual abuse.

“We are seeing more disclosure,” Bettez told regional councillors. “So it doesn’t mean there are more assaults [currently.]

“So that’s a good thing in a way that people can come forward and talk about this to police, and then we can take action.

Bootlegging remains a problem across the region, the KRPF said, encouraging Nunavimmiut to come forward if they have information about illegal alcohol coming into Nunavik.

“Tips from the public make a difference in reducing bootlegging,” said KRPF chief Michel Martin, attending his first regional council since he was appointed to the position last June.

Nunavimmiut can call 1-800-964-2644 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., anonymously, where someone can take their information in Inuktitut, French or English.