RCMP delay new stations in Gameti, Wrigley

The RCMP has delayed building police stations in Gameti and Wrigley for at least three years.

The Mounties had planned to build stations in the two communities by 2011, but have now decided not to, said Wade Blake, Chief Superintendent of "G" Division in Yellowknife. 

The plan to build stations in Gameti and Wrigley will be reviewed in three years, he said.

Meanwhile, residents will have to depend on two dedicated officers for each community based in Behchoko and Fort Simpson, who do patrols each week, flying out of those communities.

However if those officers are not in town when a call for help goes out, it can be hours before the police arrive.

Wrigley MLA Kevin Menicoche said the community misses not having a detachment, especially with its major alcohol related problems.

Rather than building new stations, the RCMP has opted to replace aging and overcrowded detachments in Inuvik and Behchoko.

The need there is more urgent, based on numbers of investigations and arrests.

The Inuvik police station is 49 years old, and the Behchoko detachment, built for only four officers, has 12 working out of it.