RCMP action on open alcohol ‘noticed’: Iqaluit councillor
Coun. Kyle Sheppard says city’s call for more enforcement has been heard; RCMP says it will use ATVs to reach parts of the city
Iqaluit RCMP are using ATVs as part of their increased patrols to combat public intoxication. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut RCMP)
Updated June 14 at 1:10 p.m.
Two weeks after leading Iqaluit city council’s call for the RCMP to act on the open consumption of alcohol in public places, Coun. Kyle Sheppard says there has been progress on the issue.
“I just want to acknowledge some of the work the RCMP has been doing over the past few weeks after our request for action on some of the public drinking,” Sheppard said at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“There’s a lot of work that still remains, but there has been significantly increased patrols in the areas that were most affected.”
Council’s request for action came at its May 28 meeting, where councillors unanimously passed a motion calling on the RCMP and Government of Nunavut to address the issue of public drinking in Iqaluit’s streets.
Some of the areas where people are known to routinely walk around with open alcohol include the blocks surrounding the beer and wine store, and nearby neighbourhoods and parking lots.
At that same meeting, Staff Sgt. Darrell Gill, Iqaluit RCMP’s detachment commander, said the police force was planning on increasing patrols in “hot” areas.
“I’ve heard from residents and some people that work in the area letting me know that there has been a difference noticed,” Sheppard said.
“I appreciate that the message was heard and look forward to further work in the future.”
Coun. Harry Flaherty, who was absent from the May 28 meeting, shared his support for more action Tuesday.
“I would like this topic to be in a future agenda,” he said, suggesting representatives from the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission, which runs the beer and wine store, should be invited to speak to council.
After council called for more enforcement, the issue of open alcohol consumption also made its way to the Nunavut legislative assembly, which was then holding its spring sitting.
Then-justice minister Karen Nutarak said she had asked the department to arrange a meeting with the RCMP and Iqaluit’s MLAs on the issue.
However, she resigned from cabinet last week and David Akeeagok took on the justice portfolio.
Justice department spokesperson Peter Varga said in an email that the meeting is still expected to happen with Akeeagok this month, but he couldn’t confirm the date.
In a news release Friday, RCMP in Iqaluit said it will increase patrols and use ATVs to allow officers to reach less accessible areas of the city.
“The Iqaluit RCMP is committed to working alongside the city of Iqaluit in combating this issue by increasing patrols and enforcing the Nunavut Liquor Act with a zero-tolerance policy,” Gill said in the release.
Note: This article has been updated to include new information on RCMP patrols
Stay home and drink or lose your $150.00 beer money.
I’ve noticed an increased police presence around my neighbourhood.
Patrols are key. Visibility is proactive policing.
And open bootleggers in B&W parking lot some bootleggers even arrive with clients in same taxi. Lots of places tfoe policing have been obvious for years.
MAKE IQALUIT STREETS GREAT AGAIN
I was stopped at a drinking and driving check point near 4 corners on Saturday evening coming home from the Arctic Glow event at Aqsarniit.
Well done RCMP for setting up those check points after major weekend events. I felt safer driving home.
I hope this summer the RCMP with their ATV’s will start going down to the Sylvia Grinnell river too or by the falls as people drink and get drunk and they can hurt themselves or even fall into the water.
Hey RCMP, hit up Apex sometimes. Right at the trail at the hill going toward Tarr Inlet. Lately it seems to be the regular place for trucks to park in the evenings They chuck their beer cans, condoms and condom wrappers out the window and drive away into the night. Super unsettling if you’re trying to go for a stroll. Unfortunately, if you call the police, by the time they get there the party is over. Not the fault of the RCMP, just the way it is. Surprise visits there and at Rotary Park would be great.
Contraceptives. Now, I know you’re lying. Love my red atv though