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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A long-time Yellowknife couple is so fed up with the "rampage" of vandalism in their neighbourhood that they're calling for a vigilante-type group similar to New York City's Guardian Angels.

Ashton Hawker stands in front of the broken window of his 2008 Ford Escape. - Lauren McKeon/NNSL Photo

That group, founded in the late 1970s, was created by city citizens to combat then widespread violence in New York's subways. The organization, whose patrol members are recognized by their red berets, trains its citizen members to make arrests.

"We need something like that," said Tina Hawker.

"I would patrol," said Ashton Hawker. "I wouldn't want people to go through what I go through."

The couple, who live on Lanky Court, have two cars that were broken into last Thursday morning at about 6 a.m. One of those vehicles was a brand new 2008 Ford Escape, the other a 1992 GMC van.

Two folders, each containing about 45 CDs, a hand vacuum, tools, iPods, some money and a Dawn Oman bag were taken, said the Hawkers. Each vehicle was also strewn with glass, dirt and, in the case of the Ford, cigarette butts.

The vandals, said Ashton, "are still out there targeting someone every night." He added that his neighbours on Lanky Court have faced similar acts of vandalism.

A vigilante group is not something the RCMP is likely to condone, according to Sgt. Larry O'Brien.

"That would be a bit extreme," the RCMP officer said.

"Certainly, if there was a community watch program ... we would be more than willing to work with something along those lines. When you're talking vigilante, no I can't see that," he added.

But vigilante group or not, the Hawkers are looking to get the word out on combating what they see as Yellowknife's declining safety.

"Two humans walking around at night - I'm more afraid of that than a grizzly bear," said Ashton, referring to his past days as a hunter and trapper.

The couple, who have lived in Yellowknife for 38 years, also added that they should not have to move just to feel safe.

"You can't win a war by retreat," said Ashton. "I'm not moving. I'm staying put."

If he were to move, he added, "they win - I lose."