'Bored' young men jailed for break-in spree
Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Gameti (Nov 27/00) - There is no cop stationed in the isolated Dogrib community, and the four young men who sat before territorial court judge Brian Bruser knew that.
The four, ranging in age between 18 and 22, were in court Nov. 21 for sentencing on a series of break-ins committed July 3.
Until that night, none had a criminal record. Bored of playing cards, however, they thought they could find some excitement by trying to set a record for the most break-ins in one night. They got what they wanted -- breaking into the school, band office, motel and a private residence. They stole a gun, bullets, cash and CDs.
But they and their community are also paying a price for a night of "run."
Community has suffered
"The loss is heavy and the people in your community have suffered that loss," Judge Brian Bruser told each of the four before sentencing.
"You had free reign. Who was there to stop you? You knew that."
Bruser sentenced each of them to two months in jail to be served concurrently on four break and enter charges. He also sentenced each to two months to be served consecutively on a separate break and enter into a residence.
One of the four received an additional two months for an Aug. 8 break-in.
Throughout their sentencing they looked bored and unaffected. They may have been somewhat confused as the facts were read in English although Dogrib was their first language.
Their demeanour changed once they realized they were headed to jail. One man sat talking to his lawyer, saying he didn't understand as she explained what he now faced. He seemed close to tears.
Close knit community
Many of the hamlet's 300 residents thought the sentence was justifiable, but at the same time, the community is very small and the men are related to many of its other members.
A band councillor and mother of one of the boys said the sentences were too harsh.
"Some people have done worse things than that but they don't get nothing for it," she said, disconcerted.
Most of the boys were attending the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Rae.
Bruser said he would have preferred to issue conditional sentences, such as house arrest, but such a plan was not submitted.
"I don't believe it is up to the court to try and put a plan together, it is up to the community," he said.
But the mother and band councillor said she did not know one would have helped.
"Nobody talked to us about that," she said.
Bruser said he had difficulty deciding what the sentences should be but ultimately chose deterrence over rehabilitation while trying to include both.
"I have refreshed my knowledge of the law in how to deal with youthful, first-time offenders," he said.
"It does not mean where there are serious crimes committed in serious circumstances, and where there are a number of them, that imprisonment should be ruled out."
All men will be on probation for 18 months after completing their jail time.
A fifth man involved only in the Aug. 8 break-in received one year probation under strict terms.
"I'm a good kid, I just want the chance to finish school," he said timidly to the court after watching his peers being led away.
"Nobody's saying you are not a good kid," Bruser replied. "But if you mess up you are going to be back here."
