Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2008

INUVIK - A recent vandalism attack at Samuel Hearne school has some officials angry and frustrated over the lack of respect being shown by members of the community.

Samuel Hearne secondary school was hit by vandals in the early morning hours of June 29.

RCMP and public works are still investigating the damages and who is responsible for the vandalism.

RCMP are reporting an early forecast of costs to be near $50,000.

Public works regional superintendent Roy Clarke said the damages are still being tallied, with a lot of cleaning to do within the school.

Some damages to the school include the shop class and the music room, as well as the main foyer.

Windows were smashed, computer monitors were broken and paint was strewn all over the industrial shop room.

In the year-old music room, smashed guitars sat on boxes, the new drum kit was ripped apart and the school's piano was missing keys and busted.

Clarke said the vandals took a length of fire hose and ran water into the foyer area.

The water flooded the room and then seeped through the edges of the floor, into the plywood and insulation below.

"We'll need to get in the crawlspace and take some plywood out to check it," said Clarke.

If damaged, insulation will need to be replaced before the winter months.

"With our cold winters here, there is no way we could have soaked insulation under the school," said Clarke.

"It will need to be fixed right away."

Clarke said a private contractor was hired to take care of the cleaning, along with a dedicated crew of custodial staff and volunteers.

One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had to go back into his classroom in the school to get equipment and tools out, in case of another break-in.

The staff member said he didn't want any of his materials damaged or stolen.

"There was only one pane of glass in the foyer separating those vandals from the rest of the school," he said.

Mayor Derek Lindsay said he was upset and is frustrated at those responsible for the vandalism and damage.

"To me, it's just totally pointless," he said.

"It seems inane, I don't know why anyone would destroy things like musical instruments and equipment in the shop class. What point are they trying to make? Who are they mad at?" asked Lindsay.

Regardless of community programming for youth, Lindsay said the ones that are out damaging property are the ones who stay away from youth initiatives.

"No matter how many things we offer them, there are still youth that don't want to participate," he said.

"They are the ones who are out for their own self-indulgence and they're making others suffer. It's total crap."

Lindsay has been hearing criticism about the curfew bylaw from residents.

He said the town council planned to meet on the topic during their regular meeting Wednesday, July 9.

"We're going to review the curfew this week," he said on Monday afternoon.

Lindsay said he is also in talks with the local RCMP to start enforcing the curfew bylaw as well.

He said the curfew was made for winter months and will be revised for the longer days.

He added that a second bylaw officer was hired and will be patrolling streets in August.

"He will be working split shifts with our current bylaw officer, so they can patrol more efficiently," said Lindsay.