INUVIK - Stephanie White's workplace was trashed almost a month ago. So far police still have no suspects and she's worried that those responsible for the break in will get off scot-free.

Northern Hilites hairdresser Stephanie White believes youths are behind trashing her workplace almost a month ago. She's frustrated that no one has been charged yet. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"It's a slap in my face," said the Northern Hilites hairdresser. "They came in here, didn't steal anything and defaced my property and made a mess of my stuff."

The break-in occurred at the Kingmingya Road location somewhere between late Thursday. Oct. 22 or early Friday morning. White said she and her colleagues encountered the destruction when they arrived for work Friday morning.

"It looked like someone came in and had a joy ride," she said. "They picked up the desk, flipped it over took gel and sprayed it on the walls."

White and business owner Julie Hyde believe the damage was caused by a group of youths. Those suspicions have been reaffirmed, they said, by several tips from the community.

She said a small CD player located in the tanning room was found in the adjoining business, Northwest Water Company, where more damage was done. She figures that's proof that the break-in turned into a party.

No money was left on the premises, apart from a few quarters that were taken from the till. As far as she knows no hair products were stolen either. But she added a case of body piercings was stolen containing 60 to 100 piercings worth $20 to $30 each and which cost about $80 to have done professionally at the salon.

White was also out a day's pay since all of the customer bookings for that day had to be cancelled.

"If I don't work I don't get paid," she said. "I had to call clients and everybody was very respectful. We shouldn't have to be worried about having to call our clients every month to say 'sorry we've been broken into again.'"

This is the second time the business has been broken into since it opened more than two years ago. The first break-in occurred just after it opened. Since then White said there have been several other attempts.

Staff Sgt. Cliff McKay of the Inuvik RCMP said the investigation is ongoing. So far no suspects have been named and there is no evidence youths are involved

McKay said he'd love to have more police officers on duty, but he said that's not possible due to lack of resources. He added the onus also falls on business owners to keep their businesses protected, such as by using security systems.

"We are there as an aid to help," he said. "We can't be the personal security of the businesses. We are only one aspect of security. Sometimes you have to look at other avenues, such as monitors."

White said the solution to youth crime in the community is complex. Beyond believing that the law has to toughen up on young offenders, she also argues that the town and RCMP should work together to try to combat youth crime and what she thinks are some of the causes, such as not enforcing the youth curfew bylaw.

"Whatever is decided upon, whether it's the curfew bylaw, the police and the town have to be behind it," said White. "But I hate to put teenagers all in that bracket, because that's not the case. One person frigs up and it gives everyone a bad name."