Yellowknife (July 26/04) - Several break-ins along the Ingraham Trail in the last month have some residents concerned about their property.

"I know of at least four (break-ins) at this point," said cabin owner Garth Wallbridge.

Two cameras, a pair of binoculars and a bottle of alcohol were stolen from Wallbridge's cabin several weeks ago. Stolen goods from other cabins include a generator and lap-top computer, according to RCMP.

The items are typical of stolen property which can be sold for quick cash, said Wallbridge, but this was not a typical break-in.

"These people were very bold and comfortable," Wallbridge said. "They went through the cabin and storage shed with a fine tooth comb."

The perpetrators even dumped out and searched through boxes of winter clothing.

RCMP confirm five break-ins along the Trail this year, with the latest three occurring between June 16 and 20.

It is possible people are "targeting these places," said Cpl. Stu Hunter.

"We've had a lot of calls lately with youth going out there," Hunter said, but added most of the complaints are due to partying.

As far as break-ins go, he "can't pencil out the youth."

Drug addicts in need of a fix are another demographic who may be responsible for the break and enters, said Hunter.

Even though the latest break-ins look, "more than just opportunistic," Hunter said the proximity of dates and locations may just be chance.

Highway patrol

Due to a "whole mesh of concerns" about highways in the Yellowknife area, RCMP have an officer from the detachment whose job is to work the highways, said Hunter.

The officer has been patrolling the Ingraham Trail and Highway 3 between Yellowknife and Rae-Edzo for more than a year now.

This is partly in response to concerns raised by the Ingraham Trail Residents Association about large trucks speeding on the Trail.

RCMP have also recently increased patrols along the Ingraham due to concerns about motorists speeding through areas of road construction, but Hunter said with limited resources the RCMP cannot always have someone on the Trail.

Trail resident Dan Halldorson said increased police presence is a good thing and does help "tone down" on highway speeders.

Though he has not spoken to anyone whose property has been broken into this summer, Halldorson said there is occasional petty crime on the Trail.

"Most of the time when they break into houses there, they're looking for small items," Halldorson said.

Even when police are not around, residents keep an eye out for suspicious activity around neighbours' property, said Halldorson.

"When you think about it (crime on the Trail) is not that bad," Halldorson said.

The words do not help Wallbridge, who said although police were "polite and efficient" when investigating the break-in, they were not optimistic about recovering the stolen property.