Air Ronge Mayor Gordon Stomp, Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich. Photo courtesy of Chief Tammy Cook-Searson.
The leaders of the three communities in the La Ronge area met with the RCMP last night to discuss a strategy to deal with crime.
The meeting, organized by the Town of La Ronge, also included officials from the Village of Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says concerns have been raised about a lack of communication between the RCMP and the public.
“One of the things we talked to the RCMP about is communication with community leadership, and to the community members, because when something major happens, people will call us and ask what is going on,” she said.
Cook-Searson says in the past, there was much more communication with the RCMP, and she hopes that can happen again.
RCMP Superintendent Larry Wilson, the commanding officer in the province’s north, was also at the meeting.
Wilson says the RCMP releases information to the public about serious crimes, when possible.
“We’re going to do our best going forward to ensure that the media are advised of any major incidents, provided it doesn’t compromise our investigations,” he said.
Wilson also says the La Ronge area is fortunate in that there is no shortage of RCMP members stationed here, and all positions are full at this time.
He would not speculate on the nature of the crime reduction strategy since the details still need to be worked out.
It is not known if a committee will be formed, and if so, who would be on the committee.
Another meeting to discuss details will be held next month in La Ronge.