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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
The hamlet of Cambridge Bay has hired a second bylaw officer in hopes of curbing the increasing amount of vandalism in the community this summer.

The May Hakongak Community Library and Cultural Centre in Cambridge Bay, where this mural was being painted in March 2012 by artists Ele Davis, left, and Trisha Ogina, was the recent victim of a spate of vandalism. Nine windows were smashed and 11 windows were broken in the attached high school. - photo courtesy of Renee Krucas

Steven King, senior administrative officer, said it's the first time in recent memory that the hamlet has dealt with this degree of mischief.

"There's been small little graffiti here now and then but this is the first year we've had several incidents of pretty major vandalism," said King, adding he isn't sure why it's become more of a problem.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

During the most recent incident, vandals smashed five windows on the May Hakongak Community Library and Cultural Centre.

The windows were fixed a few days later but cost Community and Government Services more than $8,000 each.

"It's been quite a difficult summer," said Renee Krucas, executive director for the Kitikmeot Heritage Society, which operates the library.

"I've never seen this before. In my five years working here in the centre we had one broken window and now in the last two months we've had nine broken windows."

The attached high school hasn't been spared either, she said adding it had 11 windows smashed this season.

It's upsetting that vandals are targeting the library because it's where elders work and it's named after a special person, said Krucas.

"May Hakongak (is) a really, really beautiful elder who passed away. She was such an amazing role model for all people and it's really sad that they're vandalizing this library that's

named after her."

Last month vandals wrecked havoc on the old group home in the community, causing thousands of dollars in damage, said RCMP Cpl. Yvonne Niego.

That same night there were break-ins at several other places in town, including the pool and youth centre, said King.

However, there was little to no damage done.

A group of youth had been identified as suspects in this case, Niego said previously.

Vandals were also responsible for opening a fuel tank valve in June, spilling about 1,700 litres of oil onto the surrounding area.

The new bylaw officer, who started Aug. 15, is tasked with patrolling the community at night to ensure residents aren't "up to no good."

The job is only temporary although no end date has been determined at this time, King said.

He said he is hoping the new half-pipe the hamlet had built will help to keep youth busy.

"We try to provide facilities for the kids. The swimming pool is open until 11 o'clock basically every night ... We've got an outdoor basketball court," he said. "But there's only so much you can do recreation-wise and patrol-wise with the limited resources that we have."

Krucas said she would like to see a recreation facility built in the community to give children a place to play and participate in more organized activities.

"I think having more options to stay busy, stay active, I think that would really help," she added.

"These are talented kids with so much potential who could be doing so many wonderful things with their energy."

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