Crime falls in January

The number of criminal offences in the first month of the new year were significantly lower than the same time last year.

In January, the RCMP’s Iqaluit detachment dealt with 209 criminal offences, compared with 404 offences in January 2001. That represents almost a 50 per cent drop.

Sgt. Kirke Hopkins told the Iqaluit city council, “If January 2002 is any indication of what’s to come, the year is looking good. Hopefully this isn’t a short-term blip on the map.”

Still, Sgt. Hopkins pointed out, liquor is to blame for many of the criminal offences. Alcohol was involved in about half of the offences that occurred this January.

“A lot of that has to do with the overserving of alcohol that goes on at some of the licenced establishments,” Sgt. Hopkins said.