Just Because Quebec is Doing Something Doesn’t Mean We’re Going to do it Here in Kahnawake
Written by Paul Graif on 4 May 2020
Kahnawake Peacekeeper Chief Dwayne Zacharie appeared on the Kahnawake 911 Facebook live on Monday to remind the community about vehicle safety, especially now that roads on the territory are mostly clear due to the lack of incoming traffic from other communities.
“ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) is a huge problem in our community,” Zacharie said. “There are fewer cars on the roads but there has been an increase in the number of side by sides and four wheelers and that’s not permitted on the roads.”
Zachaire also had some tips for keeping children safe as he discussed child injury prevention. “Young children should not be operating these vehicles,” he said. “Children should always wear helmets when riding bicycles. A number of people are cruising around in their cars and that is ok. But if you drive around, please make your children wear seat belts or strap them in to child safety seats.”
Zacharie says there has been an increase in Kahnawake of those disobeying traffic laws. “We have noticed that with a reduced number of cars on the roads, there has been an increase in vehicles going through stop signs and speeding,” Zacharie said.
Stores in Kahnawake remain closed and under the directives that the Task Force put in to place several weeks ago. This despite the reopening of retail stores in surrounding communities.
“Just because Quebec is doing something doesn’t mean we’re going to do it here in Kahnawake. The Covid-19 Task force makes those determinations, not Quebec.”
Commissioner of Public Safety Lloyd Phillips said they held a Task Force meeting on Monday and are preparing the plans for the gradual reopening of the Kahnawake economy.
“We discussed the next phase of the pandemic, which is maintaining the measures and planning for the economic revitalization plan,” Phillips said.
The Task Force hopes to have those plans ready a week from now.
