Public intoxication and drinking has long been a cause for concern and complaints among many Thompson residents.

On City Beat yesterday, when asked what Thompson’s Community Safety Officers and RCMP detachment are doing to address the problem, Mayor Colleen Smook indicated that other emergencies take priority over what are considered “nuisance calls.”

However, she added that steps are being taken to work on the problem.

“We had an extra two percent increase this year and the middle rate is going to public safety initiatives. We’ve talked and it’s in the middle of establishing our four member RCMP crime suppression unit will directly work with the downtown situation.”

Smook added that the CSOs are available to take calls from 1 pm to 11 pm, seven days a week.

If you need to reach them, call 204-677-7916.

MKO is already working to establish a 24-hour Sobering Centre, which will provide extra services and alternate lodging to the RCMP cells.