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The hamlet of Rankin Inlet has been besieged by a rash of break and enters during the past two months. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

RANKIN INLET - Residents of Rankin Inlet are being urged not to take matters into their own hands concerning a rash of unsolved break and enters during the past two months.

Hamlet SAO Paul Waye said people are voicing concern about the number of break-ins in the community.

He said hamlet bylaw officers and the RCMP have increased their patrols and are staying out later at night to try and stop the wave of crime.

"Everyone's aware of what's going on but those responsible have been able to keep ahead of us," said Waye.

"We (the hamlet) have been the hardest hit.

"I have a vision - that's a little draconian - to get a community surveillance system to watch the areas that are so prone to these break-ins.

"The technology is available and for $100,000 we could cover the sensitive areas in the community using hydro poles and WiFi methods with Internet bandwidth."

Waye has applied for funding through the Strategic Investment Plan because of the economic impact of the breaks.

He said people are losing money and it won't be long before they lose faith in the community, as well.

"It costs a lot of money to fix damage to your property on a weekly basis and the breaks are hindering business operation.

"This situation will soon start to hinder people's desire to set up a business here if they're just going to become an instant target.

"That said, I hope people don't take matters into their own hands with this."

Company shareholder Shawn Maley was called out to his group's business at about 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 8.

The culprit(s) broke a window to gain entrance, but ran away when the building's alarm system sounded.

Maley said the alarm saved the business from a significant loss.

"The number of break and enters in this community during the past while is very disturbing," said Maley.

"Thank God for alarm systems but the situation in Rankin is terrible and many people here are under great threat these days."

Maley said the whole community plays a role in what's been happening and residents can't leave everything up to the RCMP.

He said parents have to start taking responsibility for kids involved with crime and the courts have to hand out stiffer sentences, especially when it's adults involved.

"I understand the frustration but it won't do anyone any good if we're out beating people with baseball bats and I hope nobody's thinking about doing that.

"This latest wave has become a very big concern for everyone in town who owns a house, vehicle or business.

"If this isn't stopped, it's a definite possibility we might see an increase in home invasions because they're after money and they're going to get it wherever they can.

"People, in general, need to band together to let it be known this behaviour is not tolerated in our community."

Recreation co-ordinator David Clark said the number of break-ins at the arena has gone beyond frustrating.

He said he comes to work every morning expecting his office to be broken into.

"I can't think of a worse feeling than having your building broken into day after day after day," said Clark.

"It almost makes you feel like not going to work because you don't want to deal with it anymore.

"The cost of the repairs is a lot of money and you can't help but feel like something more needs to be done to put a stop to it all.

"The repair costs and stolen money are coming out of my recreation budget and it's to the point where you feel the police have to work harder to solve this problem."

Cpl. Gerald Ouellet of the Rankin detachment of the RCMP said the police are as frustrated as everyone else.

He said the RCMP has spread the word around the community to try and have someone report a suspect.

"Usually, in these cases, someone comes forward and tells us what they know but that hasn't happened in this situation," said Ouellet.

"We want the public to know if they do provide us with information, their name is kept in the strictest confidence and they will not have to appear as a witness.

"If someone knows something, but isn't coming forward out of fear for their safety, they don't have to be afraid to talk to us.

"We would never reveal their identity."

Ouellet said if there are people thinking about taking matters into their own hands, they should know that's a dangerous path to follow.

He said the RCMP never condones vigilantism because people are putting themselves at risk.

"If people are talking about vigilantism, that tells me they know who's doing this.

"If they would come forward and tell the RCMP who's responsible, there wouldn't be a need for that.

"People have a fight-or-flight reflex when they're caught in the act, and if they choose fight we don't want to see one of our citizens harmed.

"We're working hard on this... it's not like we've thrown our hands in the air and said we can't do anything."