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By Corinne Fitzherbert

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Speak Up

Improving communication with local municipalities is a goal of the RCMP, Sgt. J.P. Dufresne said during a visit to Plaster Rock village council on Monday, July 21. Sgt. Dufresne, NCO of District 10 south, and Cpl. Steeve Crete, head of the Plaster Rock detachment, met with council to review police activity in the community.

“We’re putting a lot of emphasis on direct contact,” Sgt. Dufresne said.

“We want council to have their finger on our pulse. We want two-way communication.”

The role of the RCMP in relation to village bylaws dominated the discussion with council. Village residents have had a problem in recent months with the noise level generated at one residence and it has been the subject of numerous complaints. Although they do respond to the noise complaints, the RCMP officers noted it isn’t their job to enforce village bylaws including the noise bylaw. Unless the officers witness infractions, such as those dealing with alcohol or drugs, that fall within their mandate when they visit the residence, they can’t do anything, Cpl. Crete commented.

However, if the village seeks to take the matter to court through their own lawyer, an RCMP officer that has heard the noise when they visited the residence could act as a witness in the case, Sgt. Dufresne added.

Mayor Judy St. Peter thanked the RCMP for its presence at the rally held outside the Tobique-Plex following a meeting with health department officials on July 16.

“It was a peaceful rally,” she noted, but added it was still worthwhile to have the RCMP in attendance.

In reviewing the number of calls dealt with in Plaster Rock this month, Cpl. Crete noted things have been busy.

“You can tell that it’s summer,” he said, noting there were 24 calls. “There are a lot of things happening.”