Yellowknife (Mar 29/06) - Caribou Carnival may have had all the elements of a perfect storm, but Yellowknife RCMP Inspector Roch Fortin says teamwork and good planning made the weekend run smoothly.

There were a total of 134 arrests over the weekend, mainly mischief and alcohol-related offenses.

There were 59 arrests on Friday and 75 arrests on Saturday.

Fortin noted that 40 per cent of those arrests were individuals from out of town.

“There was every element of a perfect storm. A lot of individuals were aware this was the last week of the ice road. There were a lot of truckers in town who were going to be leaving; there were a lot people from out of town and the weather was fantastic,” Fortin explains.

He says serious incidents were prevented in the city because of co-operation between many individuals.

Because RCMP anticipated a busy weekend, four extra members were brought in per shift, making a complement of 10 RCMP members.

The Auxiliary, Citizens on Patrol and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were also helping RCMP over the weekend.

Fortin said because last year’s Caribou Carnival fell on Easter Sunday, the number of arrests and incidents were much lower, with about 30 people in cells.

Business break-ins

Yellowknife RCMP have charged a man in relation to some of the 10 break and enters to various businesses and one residence over the last week.

Const. Roxanne Dreilich said a 24-year-old has been charged in several of the incidents, including at A Taste of Saigon restaurant where a cash register was damaged; at Denroche Associates, where a quantity of cash was taken; at Sir John Franklin high school, where a video camera and cash was stolen; and at a break and enter into a private residence.

Break-ins were also reported at Wolverine Sports, where clothing, cash and ammunition were stolen; at NAPA Auto Parts, where entry was not gained; the Mine Training Society where entry may have been gained; at Inkit Ltd., where an attempt was made to break and enter; at Atco-Frontec, where cash and blank cheques were stolen; and the Dettah school where entrance was not gained.

Assaults being investigated

There were 12 assaults reported to Yellowknife RCMP this week, five are still under investigation but no charges have yet been laid.

One of the assaults involved an assault on a corrections officer by a young offender as he was being transported to detention.

Charges are pending in that incident.