Community Safety

“Your First Line of Support: Community Safety Officers offer confidential assistance and collaborate with various agencies to address community safety and Citizen concerns.”

The Community Safety Officer (CSO) Program is dedicated to promoting community safety and well-being through collaboration with Council, justice partners, Yukon Conservation Officers, and Safe Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN). CSOs provide an additional contact point for safety concerns beyond the RCMP, though they do not have policing powers or arrest authority. Working on a grassroots level, they address confidential issues and contribute to a safer community for Citizens.
Building and maintaining trust within the community is essential for the CSO team, as it encourages citizens to seek support for safety concerns and crime prevention.
To further engage with the community, CSOs have actively participated in various local events. They joined forces with the RCMP for Halloween costume and yard decoration judging, collaborated with the RCMP to conduct four check stops, and marched with Eliza Van Bibber School and Yukon University students in support of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. By consistently engaging in these activities, CSOs aim to build strong relationships and trust with the citizens of Pelly Crossing.

• Lead Community Safety Officer (CSO): Darcy Marcotte
• Community Safety Officer (CSO): David Bennett
• Community Safety Officer (CSO): Graham Swainson

CSOs frequently receive calls regarding dog safety and have partnered with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) to provide spay and neuter services, and animal care education at no cost. CAAT periodically visits Pelly Crossing, setting up a pop-up hospital in the Link Building to conduct spaying and neutering clinics and general pet check-ups.
In line with SFN’s traditional laws, efforts are also underway to establish an operational animal shelter in Pelly Crossing and to develop the Selkirk First Nations Animal Control Act. Renovations are planned for the existing shelter near Mica Creek to support the SFN Dog Act, which will also create job opportunities and provide educational experiences for students.

As fire incidents increase in the Yukon, improving fire preparedness has become crucial. The CSO program is collaborating with Yukon Fire Marshal Services to establish a volunteer fire department in Pelly Crossing, despite challenges in recruiting community volunteers.
A fully functional volunteer fire department requires a regular team of eight volunteers to secure necessary training and equipment. Currently, with fewer than eight volunteers, the Scene Safety Response Unit (SSRU) serves as an interim solution. The SSRU provides scene safety assessment skills and represents a proactive step toward building a complete volunteer fire department in the future.
The Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office has partnered with the CSO team to conduct a two-day training session for the SSRU. Training opportunities will continue in the fall of 2024 for those interested in joining the Pelly Crossing SSRU team. This training prepares participants to safely respond to community fires, though it does not provide full volunteer firefighter training. Five participants have completed the SSRU training, and efforts are ongoing to recruit more volunteers and hold monthly meetings.
If you are interested in joining the SSRU or helping the team grow into a body of 8+ volunteers for the future Fire Department (with more advanced training), please contact CSO manager, Darci Marcotte, for an application or visit the CSO office in the Administration Building.

CSO Manager Darci Marcotte: (867) 689-0303