Yellowknife (Aug 21/06) - Security at schools is being beefed up in light of arson at J.H. Sissons school, just over two weeks after the fire at St. Joseph school.

Yk Education District No. 1 superintendent Metro Huculak said Yk 1 recently hired a security firm to patrol its schools.

Don Andrusiak, president of Northern Patrol Services, watches for any suspicious activities around Yellowknife schools. He said he looks primarily for vehicles or people who shouldn't be on a school's property. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

He said schools are prime targets for vandals, something Yk 1 has discussed multiple times this year.

"We need to get a handle on this," said Huculak.

Yellowknife Catholic Schools has also upped its own security around its three schools, having a firm up the number of patrols after four classrooms and a mini-gym were destroyed at St. Joe's in an Aug. 3 fire.

"Security does eight checks per night at St. Joseph school and four each at St. Patrick high school and Weledeh school," said assistant superintendent Claudia Parker.

She said cleaning staff do nightly checks around the schools before they finish their shifts to make sure everything is okay.

The RCMP are making efforts to be extra vigilant when patrolling near schools said Const. Colleen Werrell.

"We're increasing patrols around all schools in the area," she said.

She's asking the public to keep an eye out around the city's educational facilities.

"We'd like the public to be a lot more vigilant around the schools," said Werrell.

This is the same request the Yellowknife Fire Department made while at the scene of the Sissons fire, Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar said arson is a serious crime.

Huculak said he would like to meet with YCS and the Francophone school board to discuss what they can do to prevent arson and vandalism at their schools.

He said involving the city and businesses might help in forming a community response to stop potential vandals and arsonists.