Crime drop after Innu alcohol ban, police say

Ten weeks after the band council of Natuashish, an Innu reserve in northern Labrador, banned alcohol, police in the community say crime has dramatically decreased.Proof, the band chief said, that the ban is working.

Before the controversial ban, Natuashish was a community plagued by sexual assaults and domestic violence,but police have said crime is down to one-third of what it was before the ban.

Since February, police have laid about 30 charges for drunkenness and possession of alcohol, in accordance with the new bylaw.

"It is still relatively a new law," said RCMP Sgt. Wayne Newell,"and our members are feeling their way through it with our partners in the community."

New beginning

Natuashish is the resettled community of Davis Inlet, the tiny village thatdrew attention in the early '90s when images of young people sniffing gasoline were broadcast across the country.

Natuashish band Chief Prote Poker pushed for the alcohol ban at a community meeting in January.

"It's not totally gone, it's still there, but it's really a good feeling in the community, for me anyway, and I think a lot of the elders felt it's quieter than it was before," Poker said.

School principal Jackie Williams said he has noticed the difference as well.

"We're seeing more parents come for family day and for our awards ceremonies, so that's good," Williams said. "The children seem a little more calm and collected and we're not having so many issues in the office."

Divided community

Poker said the new feeling of calm around the community and the reduced crime ratesupport the continuation of the alcohol ban.

However, the alcohol ban has divided the community and some people are challenging the new law.

Simon Pokue, a former band chief, said people in the community should have the right to choose.

"We don't need a bylaw to sober up," he said. "We already have laws to combat bootlegging and drugs trafficking."

Pokue said the vote wasn't done fairly and the bylaw is invalid. Peoplewho have been charged for being drunk or possessing alcohol are now furious, he said.

"A lot of them are saying they will fight, they will challenge this bylaw."

Chief Poker said there's no going back now andthe band is looking at ways to stem the flow of alcohol into the community.

Luggage that arrives at the Natuashish airstrip isn't searched, and Poker said the legality of doingso isn't clear, but it is something he would like to see.

"People will get upset if the ban is in place, but in the long run, they will realize that it's good for the community," he said.