East Prairie prepared to explore other cop options - Haggerty

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Hopes the East Prairie Metis Settlement and Gift Lake Metis Settlements may request to enter into policing agreement to combat the drug problem in the High Prairie region are premature. M.D. of Big Lakes CAO Gilles Lussier said at council’s July 23 meeting the two Metis settlements may be prepared to join the M.D., Town of High Prairie and Peavine Metis Settlement in the policing service. However, East Prairie chair Louis Haggerty says they are no longer interested. He says their council first met with High Prairie RCMP S/Sgt. Steve Daley in early to mid-June. After that meeting, they met with the Metis Settlements General Council, then the East Prairie council met and discussed the matter amongst themselves. “We’re no longer interested,” says Haggerty. “It was rejected and it’s a dead issue.” At least for the time being because another option has arisen. “There might be a program for 24 policeman for the eight Metis settlements,” says Haggerty. “We want to see what General Council can offer.” He adds his council was told if they joined the local drug enforcement program, the entire existing agreement would have to be torn up and redrawn. “The way I understand it, you have to start a new one,” he says. And, adds Haggerty, “Every time dollars were talked about, they talked about another position.” Which, of course, means more money. At one time East Prairie did explore forming its own police force but the approximate $700,000 price tag was deemed too expensive. Gift Lake Metis Settlement chair Hector Lamouche says their council is still open to the idea. He says they will meet in mid to late August to discuss the matter.

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