Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sept 05/01) - A rash of break-ins in Old Town have some business owners demanding more police patrols in the area.

The Wildcat Cafe has been broken into three times in the last two weeks and manager Lise Nault said the cost is starting to weigh heavy.

She said at least $2,000 in cash and alcohol thefts have dented her profits.

"We are only open for just a few months and it's a shame. I don't understand why there has not been extra (police activity) in Old Town," Nault said.

"It's a shame if we have to go to the extent of putting bars on the windows. It would take away from the ambience."

Police said patrols were increased over the summer but zeroing in on specific Old Town businesses is not possible at this point.

"With our resources we are generally response oriented," said Sgt. Al McCambridge. "That is just a fact of life."

The Pilot's Roost and Weaver and Devore have also been targets.

In mid-August Weaver's had merchandise stolen and reported one break in.

"Touch wood, it was just once," owner Ken Weaver said. "It would appear that cigarettes were the main items."

Weaver said although the thefts are becoming a problem, he is not concerned with the amount of police activity in Old Town.

"It is pretty hard to put police on every doorstep," he said.

The first time the Pilot's Roost was broken into nothing was taken but the second time between $400 and $500 was swiped.

Manager Mike Kennedy commented the robbery was sloppily done, with the burglar(s) crashing through a window. He said he would like to see more RCMP patrols near vulnerable businesses.

"I don't see frequent patrols here," he said.

"Unfortunately our store is pretty isolated."

Nault said she thinks Old Town is targeted because it's quieter than downtown.

"There is probably not as much traffic here," she said. "And there is not a lot of population here either."