Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Kitikmeot (Mar 15/04) - Recent break-ins have rattled two communities in the Kitikmeot region.

In Kugluktuk, the hamlet office, several other offices, both Arctic College buildings and the day care were all hit between October and December 2003.

According to Cal Shaw, SAO in Kugluktuk, the break-in at the hamlet occurred in November. Nothing was taken but the door handles in the office were damaged and have yet to be fixed.

"You name it," is how Cpl. Franco Radeschi in Kugluktuk described the variety of crimes.

"Most of the kids responsible for all those have appeared in court, or are going to appear."

February was quieter in Kugluktuk but new trouble is brewing.

"People have started abusing alcohol again," Radeschi said. "So there's alcohol coming in now. We're busier."

Assaults, common assaults and breach of probation are some of the complaints they are getting. In Taloyoak, Lyall Construction is sifting through the debris left from three break and enters in February.

"They went through the window each time," said Const. Keith Hendricks of the Taloyoak detachment. "(The culprits) would take down the boards each time and just go through."