Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 04/98) - Iqaluit RCMP have been kept busy over the holidays. Staff Sgt. Glen Wolfenden barely had time to go over details of the crimes the detachment has been dealing with over Christmas.

"We've been fairly busy, but we're talking that time of year," said Wolfenden. "There has been more alcohol abuse that has led to assaults and break and enters."

One of most serious break and enters was discovered by police on Dec. 29. It involved three stolen snowmobiles.

"They were taken from a shed that belonged to the senior citizen's home. They broke the lock to get inside. Two (of the snowmobiles) have been recovered already," Wolfenden said.

There are no suspects and the investigation is ongoing.

Const. Alain Trudeau of the Iqaluit RCMP said the detachment is also investigating two other break and enters and approximately eight spousal assaults. Members also responded to a stabbing at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Dec. 18. A man was taken to Baffin Regional Hospital with a knife wound to the stomach. Police later arrested the man's girlfriend as a suspect.

In other communities, such as Kugluktuk, the RCMP haven't been as busy.

"It's been steady, as usual, but no major incidents," said Kugluktuk Cpl. Gary Molloy. "For the last week and a half it's been sort of quiet. The (community hall) has been used quite steady for the last week or so for community events like dances and games, and there is no problem with that. It's the excessive drinking in residences that's a problem."

Molloy said although liquor consumption is commonly a "major problem over the Christmas season, it has not caused too many problems so far." He suspected the restriction on alcohol shipments to Kugluktuk over Christmas could be part of the reason for the low incident rate.

Rankin Inlet and its surrounding communities have been similarly quiet.

"So far it's been quieter than normal," said Sgt. Mark Hennigar of the Rankin Inlet detachment. "We held a Check Stop (Friday, Dec. 18) and three were charged with impaired driving. Lots of information spread as a result of that."

Hennigar said alcohol shipments to the area are also temporarily restricted.