Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Mar 29/02) - Six Fort Simpson businesses have been broken into over the past three weeks, prompting a meeting between RCMP and business owners on Tuesday afternoon.

The RCMP suspect the same group of people have been involved in the crimes, but hadn't made any arrests as of Tuesday, according to Cpl. Daryl Key.

"Certainly within the last year this is the worst (spell)," said Key. "It's frustrating for us, too."

The police have informed business owners of how to use alarm systems and better lighting to prevent further trespassing.

Key noted that the police do have a high success rate in apprehending break and enter culprits, as evidenced by charges laid against suspects from a series of break and enters committed in January.

"But unfortunately by the time we're called the property is gone and the damage is done," he acknowledged.

Pat Rowe's auto garage was struck three times over 10 days earlier this month. In total, the culprit(s) broke three windows and took $40 in cash as well as a cordless phone, nothing else. However, the crime cost Rowe much more because cold air through the broken windows caused his furnace to burn out. He estimates that the repair bill and window replacements will cost him between $3,000 and $5,000, which isn't covered by insurance.

Rowe said he'd like to see the culprit(s) get the maximum penalty.

"When they do catch the guy I won't have much sympathy for him," he said. "The justice circle is out now. You want them prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I think it has to be hard line."

Rowe said thieves have forced their way into his shop seven times over the past 15 months. Prior to that it had never been broken into since 1974.

"It's getting pretty bad," Rowe said of the current situation.

Deh Cho Hall, which vandals frequently target, was also struck again despite having some new locks installed earlier this year -- a $20,000 project in total. The recurring crime is disheartening, admitted Nolan Swartzentruber, director of the Dehcho Divisional Board of Education, who oversees the building.

He suggested that punishment is reactionary -- the crux of the matter is individuals taking responsibility.

"I guess what bothers me is that we are a community, but it's just a lack of respect for property, that's all ... it's very few people making life difficult for others," Swartzentruber said.

"I think as a community and as families we need to work on this somehow. I don't think punishment is going to solve the issue."