A busy Christmas for cops in Nunavik

IQALUIT — During the holiday season, Nunavik party-goers kept members of the Kativik Regional Police Force on their toes.

From Dec. 17 -27, police in Kuujjuaq took 20 people into detention and answered a score of calls related to unruly, drunken behavior.

In Puvirnituq, a semi-dry community where alcohol purchases are supposed to be controlled, booze turned some Christmas parties into brawls. At the Kativik School Board’s get-together in Puvirnituq, 40 litres of wine were served to some 100 invitees, resulting in 10 calls to police and three arrests.

The Inuulitsivik Health Centre’s party, held in the hospital, and the co-op association’s bash at the new hotel, also resulted in several arrests.

But the local municipal council’s party on Dec. 23 was the liveliest by far. Police say many in attendance were intoxicated, and six ended up being arrested.

In early December, Puvirnituq mayor Aisara Kenuajuak had promised to clamp down on the flow of alcohol in the community.

“Like everyone else, I’m concerned,” Kenuajuak told the Nunatsiaq News. not long before the council hosted the rowdy party.

Police in Puvirnituq also held a vehicle check over the holidays. They stopped some 50 vehicles. Drivers who weren’t intoxicated received a candy-stuffing Christmas stocking, while those who showed dangerous levels of alcohol were given a warning and escorted home.

In other Nunavik communities along the Hudson and Ungava coasts there were few arrests made. New Year’s Eve was a quiet celebration everywhere.