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MITTIMATALIK/POND INLET
The Government of Nunavut has set aside close to $150,000 for security enhancements at least five territorial airports this fiscal year.

Pond Inlet will be first up, with an expected $50,000 for surveillance cameras, installation and related training. Also in line to receive airport security upgrades will be Cape Dorset, Iglulik, Arviat and Hall Beach, said Shawn Maley, director of airports with the Government of Nunavut.

The decision comes after five break-ins to Canadian North planes in Pond Inlet over the past two years. Most recently, on April 4, a culprit stole hand sanitizer and cans of pop from a Canadian North de Havilland Dash-8 parked overnight at the airport.

Shortly after that incident, Canadian North officials said the airline wouldn't leave aircraft in the community until cameras were installed - a major inconvenience since planes overnighting in Pond Inlet leave early in the morning and arrive in Iqaluit in time for connecting flights south and west.

Canadian North decided to allow its planes to remain on site overnight in Pond Inlet after a security guard was hired, who was paid for by the Government of Nunavut over the past several months. An airline employee told Nunavut News/North that it's expected that a security guard will remain in place in Pond Inlet because catching a culprit is better than checking for details on security cameras the day after an incident.

"We did a bunch of research and we have an idea of what we want," said Maley, adding industry personnel will propose what type of surveillance is best suited for the airport and will know exactly what that system will look like by Dec. 10. "We said, 'This is the area of coverage we need, now you tell us the best and most efficient way to do it.'"

Since April, police and bylaw officers have begun patrolling the Pond Inlet airport more often, and Mayor Jaykolasie Killiktee said they tried to emphasize the message that vandalism doesn't pay through radio ads and school visits. The man accused of breaking into the plane last April faces three charges, including mischief over $5,000, break and enter, theft, and breach of probation. Killktee said in April the crime made the community nervous.

"Safety is the most important part of this discussion. Airlines should be safe to fly," he said, adding all territorial airports will receive security upgrades over the next few years.

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