Residents anxious about drug-related crime in N.W.T.'s South Slave region

Residents in the N.W.T.'s South Slave region are on edge after some recent incidents that police have linked to the illegal drug trade — and RCMP say their big challenge is getting people to speak out if they know something. 

"I feel nervous...you know, makes you feel, geez, what's happening to my little town?" said Dana Fergusson, mayor of Fort Smith, N.W.T.

On Friday, RCMP reported a house fire and possible gunshots in that community. Fergusson says RCMP told her it was a targeted incident related to the drug trade.

She urges residents to report what they know.

"Quit hiding these people in our communities. Articulate or let the police know, report, become a confidential informant," Fergusson said.

Since August, Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, and Hay River have seen shootings, arson attempts, and house and vehicle fires. RCMP have said most of those incidents are linked to the drug trade.

Investigations ongoing

James Lai, acting inspector for South District RCMP in the N.W.T., says police are investigating each case separately. He would not confirm any links between them.

"But we are looking at all facets of investigation," Lai said.

Lai says Fort Resolution residents are especially concerned after an arson attempt and gunfire last week. He met with community members and leaders to hear their concerns.

"Emotions are running high in the community," Lai said.

He urges residents to share information through RCMP detachments, Crime Stoppers tip lines, or other discreet channels.

"That information flow...to move things forward, that would be, I'd say, the biggest challenge that we're facing," Lai said.

CBC News tried reaching out to Deninu Kųę́ First Nation Chief Louis Balsillie in Fort Resolution multiple times but he was unavailable for an interview.

'Out of hand'

"Elders are living in fear. Not only elders, all the people in the community," said Arthur Beck, president of the Fort Resolution Métis Council.

Beck says people in his community now lock their homes constantly due to rising drug-related violence.

"It's been happening for a couple of years," Beck said. "They're abusing the elders for money. There's even shootings in the community."

He also worries about the impact on children growing up amid the violence.

"You imagine the kids are going up in the schools, seeing what's going on. Pretty soon they're going to think it's a normal thing. Then what's going to happen for the future?" Beck said.

He says the situation is getting "really out of hand" and that RCMP and the government need to take stronger action.

Franco Nogarin, who has lived in Fort Smith for over 30 years, says the South Slave region has faced floods, fires, and crime in recent years. But he says recent drug-related violence adds another layer of anxiety for people in the community.

"The community is upset...many people that are there are feeling fearful," Nogarin said.

He also has concerns about how officials communicated with the community during last week's house fire and possible gunfire in the community. 

A notice from the community's protective services stated there was "no risk to the general public," and later RCMP told the mayor it was a "targeted situation."

Nogarin says that messaging didn't match how people felt.

"That doesn't make anybody feel any better, saying it's not at risk to the community when something like that has gone on," Nogarin said.

More resources needed to protect witnesses

One longtime lawyer in the North says often witnesses are afraid to come forward and speak to police about incidents because they are afraid of retribution. Anne Crawford says those fears are often justified. 

"As much as individuals know things about drug traffickers, drug traffickers know things about people and communities," Crawford said.

She says tip lines allow people to report suspicious activity without direct involvement and that citizens can also ask police how to share information safely.

She also says that RCMP could do more by deploying additional officers to better monitor certain areas or homes. That would reduce the need to rely on witness testimony for warrants or evidence collection.

"An equally strong case can be built if the police have the resources," Crawford said.

Since having more officers is a challenge in smaller communities, she says making more resources available during certain investigations would help.

Addressing addiction

In an email to CBC News, a spokesperson for the territory's Department of Justice says the department has invested in a new Crime Reduction Unit and an Emergency Response Team for the RCMP to combat organized crime and the drug trade.

"These units provide dedicated enforcement capacity to disrupt the flow of drugs into our communities," the spokesperson wrote.

The territory also said last fall it was working on new legislation to provide law enforcement with tools to shut down drug houses and deter crime.

RCMP Acting Insp. James Lai also says it's not just an issue for law enforcement. He said health officials also need to look at the issue of addictions in the communities.

When people are addicted to illegal substances, he said, there will always be a supply.

"That's not a social issue that we could police our way out of," Lai said.