Resolute Bay (Oct 27/03) - When Resolute Bay residents go outside these days they are taking more precautions.

Ice is forming in the bay and the polar bears are starting to come out.

Martha Kalluk, senior administrative officer for the hamlet, said people are being warned to be careful.

There have been reports of about 14 bears outside of the community, but Kalluk said "the reports keep changing. I haven't' seen that many yet."

She said "three bears that were causing most of the problems, coming into town looking for food" were killed Oct. 22.

As a precaution, volunteers are still patrolling the community.

"They go in the morning before the children are picked up for school, at lunch and at night," she said.

People have also been calling the radio station if they see bears in the area.

Kalluk said the best news about the presence of polar bears is that nobody has been hurt.