North island communities want police to focus on drugs, impaired driving, youth and traffic according to survey results gathered by the Masset RCMP detachment.
The survey asked people if they were satisfied with the police and what areas of crime prevention most needed attention.
In the Masset, Old Massett and Tow Hill area, police received 42 out of 700 surveys back.
People who responded said drugs and alcohol were the big issues. Overall, people want more police presence-especially with foot and bike patrols.
In the Masset area some suggestions included "deal with intoxicated persons on street during the day", "decriminalize drugs", and "stop talking negatively of Masset in newspapers".
In Port Clements 23 out of 200 surveys were returned. Some respondents said they wanted a policeman to move to the community while others didn't want police there at all. People also asked for better enforcement around school zones.
High school students, who had the best survey response rate with 53 out of 75, said they want police to stop harassing them, and be friendlier. They recommend more bike and foot patrols as well as more female police officers.
Police have already begun working on getting out into the community more, said Sgt. Andrew Isles of the Masset detachment. To build positive links with youth, police have begun visiting schools more and hosting a sports day every Sunday in Masset.
Police have also started a Crime Stoppers program and met with the CHN as well as the Hereditary Chiefs. More meetings are planned to discuss the survey results, Sgt. Isles said.