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INUVIK
The Inuvik Youth Centre was broken into again last week.

Torsten Diesel, left, Inuvik Youth Centre co-ordinator, and Samantha Stokell, executive director, have increased security by putting chains on the door at the centre since the latest break-in. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

This time, two PlayStation controllers and around $100 worth of food was stolen, along with more pool balls.

Samantha Stokell, executive director of the centre, noticed the break-in on the morning of Aug. 1.

"Four pool balls were missing," said Stokell. "We found two outside but we haven't found the other two."

The front door to the centre was broken and it looked like the guitars and amps had been played, she said.

"We keep the guitars and amps in a separate room," said Stokell.

"When we came in we saw the guitars plugged into the amps, so it looks like someone broke in just to hang out."

With the broken door, Stokell and Torsten Diesel, the youth centre co-ordinator, bought chains for the door and to lock up the fridge to keep food from being stolen.

"It's really sad," said Diesel. "We had just bought new healthy snacks and juice boxes. Now they're gone."

There was an attempt to break into the centre again the following day, but the chains kept the thief or thieves from getting inside.

"We also locked up the (PlayStation 3)," said Stokell.

While there is an alarm system at the centre, it still needs to be activated.

"Right now we just use chains, it's the easiest and quickest solution," said Stokell.

The centre was broken into previously on the night of July 11. The items were returned and an individual was referred to the restorative justice system.

Now, that individual is volunteering for the centre and Stokell is hoping it helps build some kind of connection to the community.

"They should see how they've affected the people here," said Stokell.

She said the young people using the centre are angry about the break-ins.

"We're hoping word gets around and people stop trying to break-in," she said.

While the most recent theft didn't involve items that were as expensive as the last theft, the RCMP is still investigating.

"No suspects have arisen as of yet," said Staff Sgt. Peter Pilgrim. "However, it's still very early in the investigation. We have recommended that an alarm system of some sort be put in place."

Installing a video camera is one option that's been discussed, but Stokell would prefer if funds were used for operational costs instead of needing to install additional security, she said.

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