Yellowknife (Sep 08/06) - A rash of recent stabbings and complaints involving knives have police shaking their heads.

There were five incidents reported in the last two months - two of which sent Yellowknife residents to seek medical treatment at Stanton Territorial Hospital. This trend has increased significantly in the last two months.

Sept. 17, 2005 A man was stabbed in the chest in the Range Lake area. The victim was uncooperative with police. There were no suspects or arrests made. March 15, 2006 A man reported a stab wound to his abdomen in Ptarmigan Apartments. He was uncooperative with police and it was not determined if the wound was self-inflicted or not. No suspects or arrests. April 1, 2006 A man was slashed in the hand during a fight in the Kam Lake area. He was uncooperative with police and refused medical attention. No suspects or arrests. May 20, 2006 Another man was slashed in the hand during a fight in Ndilo over a girl. The victim was uncooperative with police. No arrests or suspects. June 17, 2006 A man was charged with possessing an illegal weapon after a waitress said he pulled a knife on her. July 21, 2006 Two men were charged with aggravated assault in connection to a multiple stabbing outside a downtown bar. Two other men were injured and sought medical attention. Aug. 22, 2006 A man was stabbed in the arm and found near Hilltop Apartments just outside the downtown area. Police have a suspect but have made no arrests because the victim was uncooperative. Aug. 26, 2006 Two youths pulled knives on each other, dropped them, and then engaged in a fist fight outside a gas station on Range Lake Road. No arrests or charges were laid. Aug. 30, 2006 A man was charged with assault with a weapon after his roommate said he threatened her with a knife. The man was taken to hospital due to psychological concerns and released into police custody. Sept. 4, 2006 A man was stabbed in the chest in Ptarmigan Apartments. Police have identified persons of interest but have made no arrests or laid any charges as of yet.

The number of knife-related incidents is double the last two months compared to the number of complaints received from September, 2005 to June of this year, said RCMP Const. Colleen Werrell. She is not sure why the numbers are up, but said it's common to find knives on people the RCMP deal with.

"We're more likely to find a knife than any other kind of weapon," said Werrell.

The type of knives they often find are folding knives, she said. Most of the incidents, including a multiple stabbing outside a bar on 50th Street July 21, involved young men getting into arguments which escalated. A 17-year-old youth, who wished to remain anonymous, said he doesn't carry a knife, but he has friends who do.

He said they do it to protect themselves on the streets.

"It's in case they get jumped by crackheads," he said.

The youth's 15-year-old friend said the majority of fights occur at the end of the work-week. Werrell said the majority of these crimes are difficult to solve because the victims often don't cooperate with investigators.

City councillor Bob Brooks said residents have been complaining about the "increasing violence" in the city.

He said getting the RCMP, Municipal Enforcement division and volunteer programs more visible on city streets is the way to stop the violence.

"We need to support programs like Citizens on Patrol Services (COPS)," said Brooks.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins said he hasn't received any specific complaints from constituents about stabbings. "The focus still continues to be the drug activity," he said.

Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee called crime in the city an "on-going issue."

"We have regular meetings with the RCMP. Much of the crime is due to drug issues," said Lee, adding fights involving knives take violence to another level in the city.

Mike Williams, a salesperson at Wolverine Guns and Tackle said there are many places in Yellowknife where people can purchase knives.

His store's stock of knives are for those interested in hunting or fishing.

"Most of what we deal with are hunting knives," he said.

Williams said major department or hardware stores have pocket or multi-purpose knives for anyone who wishes to make a purchase.

He said he's never sold a knife to people looking to protect themselves, but has noticed a trend in knife violence. "Living here after 11 years, there's been a couple of incidents for sure."