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Cape Dorset policing meeting gets little response

The RCMP in Cape Dorset invited the community to attend a meeting – partly to improve the police force's relationship with the community – on the evening of March 19. Two people showed up.

The turnout was actually an improvement on previous attempts to hold such meetings. RCMP Cpl. Henry Coman, V Division's media liaison, said past attempts have literally resulted in no members of the public showing up.

"They (the Cape Dorset detachment officers) normally do not get anyone to attend these meetings but they gave everyone a week's notice and publicized it using radio and bulletin boards around town, hence, the larger than normal attendance," Coman stated. "As a police force, we try to engage the community in getting their buy-in as to what they would like us to focus on. It's difficult to get input when the attendance is low."
The meeting was also intended to discuss approaches to reduce harm associated with the illegal use of drugs and alcohol.

Nunavut News attempted to reach Cape Dorset's mayor, deputy mayor and senior administrative officer for comment but a hamlet office employee said all three were on duty travel and had left town prior to the March 19 meeting.