Inuvik (Sep 22/06) - If you recently had a bicycle stolen in Inuvik, you should call Duane DeBastien.

He's the town's bylaw enforcement officer, who said the town has 30 or 40 bikes in a warehouse waiting to be claimed.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Sidney Gray says it's frustrating that so many bikes are stolen in Inuvik. He said it's important police investigate the crimes and find the thieves, because it will strengthen the police's reputation. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

"If you've had your bike stolen, you can call me up, come have a look," DeBastien said.

While there's no guarantee people will find their stolen bikes, DeBastien said many are in good condition.

Indeed, in the past year, 30 bike thefts have been reported to police.

Jackie Sullivan, who works with the Inuvik RCMP, said bicycle thieves even stole from her family.

"At my house, it's three times this year!" she said.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Sidney Gray said bicycle theft is unfortunately common in Inuvik.

And while some people don't report the cases, Gray said officers are told to consider bike theft a serious matter.

"Our bread and butter is answering what's important to the public," Gray said.

"We can't ignore the barking dog, the noise complaint or the bicycle thief."

Gray added he believes solving cases like bicycle theft will build up the police's reputation, because it's something that angers many people. "Obviously, we need to set priorities," he said. "We have things like violent crime in this town, which demand our more immediate attention. But (bicycle theft) is not ignored."

Valerie Tomlinson used her bike for 10 years before it was stolen last month.

She said she knows at least four other people who've had bikes stolen this summer.

None have been recovered so far.

"I hear people talk about crime in the big cities, but honestly, the crime rate per capita here is worse," she said.

On Aug. 28, Gray told town council that some bicycles had been thrown in the river by the boat launch.

He said some of the thefts are considered part of the recent vandalism spree, since bikes were found mangled, broken and left to rust.

"That's obviously something very serious, when it happens to you," he said.

DeBastien says people should always keep their bikes' serial numbers, or some other proof it is theirs.

"Just take a picture of you with it," he said.