Whitehorse RCMP could soon be getting advice from community groups and government officials on how to enforce the law.

At its Monday evening meeting, city council members were presented with a report which recommended the city begin a proposed Whitehorse Area Policing Advisory Committee.

The committee, Mayor Ernie Bourassa said following the council meeting, would enable the city and others to voice their concerns and make recommendations about enforcement in Whitehorse.

'We felt it was something we'd be interested in,' Bourassa said of when he and city staff were contacted by the local detachment commander about the committee.

The city's terms of reference for the group were provided to council. They show that in addition to a city council member, the group would consist of the local RCMP detachment commander and one representative each from the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Yukon Society, Whitehorse General Hospital, Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Ta'an Kwach'an Council, the general public, downtown residents and three youth representatives recommended by the principal of each high school and from Yukon College.

Bourassa said the city was approached by the local detachment. Staff-Sgt. Tim Walton had heard about a similar committee formed in Yellowknife and wanted to bring it to Whitehorse.

In a statement delivered by Sgt. Ross Milward and written by Walton, who was unavailable for comment, it was noted, the committee was proposed in preparation for the detachment performance plans, a national RCMP program being rolled out across the country.

After hearing about the success of Yellowknife's committee, the Whitehorse detachment requested the city form the consultation committee to advise on issues surrounding 'crime and disorder' in the city.

The terms of reference, which city council will vote on whether to adopt next week, state the vision of the committee as being: 'Community individuals and organizations have created the city, and they know best what is needed to maintain a safe city.'

While a group of residents recently held a rally and have been working to address the drug issue in the city, Bourassa said that's not what has brought about the committee.

Walton did, however, acknowledge the timing of the group.

'The formation is timely with the recent ad hoc public meetings surrounding drug-related violence and the concerns by merchants on how to protect their businesses against crime,' Walton noted in his statement.

Bourassa said it is a way for the city and others to have a direct way of bringing forward their concerns and ideas for many enforcement issues in the city.

'I think this is pretty significant,' Coun. Bev Buckway said when the matter was brought up during the council meeting.

She also pointed out that it's a way for the city to get recommendations forwarded to police.

As Bourassa noted though, it will be up to the detachment to consider the recommendations and decide whether to follow through with them within its operations.

'The purpose of the Whitehorse Area Policing Advisory Committee would be to assist the RCMP in an advisory capacity by considering and making recommendations to the RCMP on concerns of enforcement issues within the municipal boundaries of the City of Whitehorse,' city staff noted in its report to council.

Meetings would be held quarterly.

Council will vote on the terms of reference at next Monday's meeting.

The city would be responsible for administering the group, police said.

Walton also noted this would only add to his ability to understand the concerns of Whitehorse residents.