Arviat takes Halloween indoors for 2nd year due to polar bears

Arviat, Nunavut, will be holding its Halloween celebrations indoors for thesecond year in a row due to safety concerns about children going door to door at night during polar bear season.

Arviat is on Hudson Bay about 250 kilometres north of Churchill, Man., and is visited by polar bears in the late fall.

"The last couple of years we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of bears in our community," saysSteve England, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.

"Last year was the first year we hosted Halloween indoors. It went over successfully, so this year the council decided to do the same thing again."

England says they are spending nearly $10,000on decorations and candy for theHalloweenparty at the community hall.

RCMPsay they will be patrolling Nunavut communities to keep the public safe, and are remindingdrivers towatch for children.

"In the communities, you see a lot of parents driving their kids around in Ski-Doos and qamutiks and we just want to encourage everyone to drive safely and be cautious of all the kids walking around," said Cpl. David Lawson.