Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 20/98) - Yellowknifers are being advised to keep an eye on their cars and trucks and those of their neighbors after a string of vandalism reports.

The RCMP are also asking for help with their investigation in the damage to vehicles in and around the city over the past three weeks.

Dozens of vehicles have had their windows smashed, tires slashed or damaged in other ways during the month of May.

On Sunday, for example, every vehicle parked in the Powder Point lot on the Ingraham Trail had one or more tires slashed, leading to numerous complaints to the police.

A number of vehicles on a lot on Coronation Drive were damaged on two different occasions over a two-week span.

RCMP Const. Cliff McKay said the police don't have any suspects in most of these matters and there is nothing yet to indicate that the crimes have been committed by the same people.

"There happening in different locations," McKay explained. "We've got nothing to put them together -- not at this point, anyway. As for why it's happening, who could say for sure?"

Earlier in the month, most of the incidents included theft. Besides locking the vehicle, McKay suggested that valuables should never be left visible inside.

"Don't even leave any coins on your dash or a cassette tape or anything," he said. "They will do the smash and grab no matter how small the item may be."

However, a motive for many of the recent incidents have been hard to find.

"You're always at risk," McKay said, adding that people living in residential areas should park as close to their homes as possible. "Even if you can keep it some place visible, then if anyone comes around there's a possibility that it will be seen by somebody."

Buildings haven't been spared either. On Monday night, there were windows smashed at Akaitcho Hall, and at the Crestview Apartments laundry room as well as at a residence on Forrest Drive.