Community members band together to target crime in Fort Simpson

Residents of Fort Simpson, N.W.T., are "fed up" with a rash of crime that's sweeping through the community, says the community's mayor, Darlene Sibbeston.

"Our fire hall got broken into, several vehicles were stolen, some homes were broken into and two local businesses."

Sibbeston sayscommunity membersstarted to notice anincrease in crime in June, but "in the last month it just seems like at least twice a week this stuff is happening and people are getting fed up with it."

According to Sibbeston, residents arepointing the finger at local youth, citing "alcohol and drugs, a lack of parental involvement" and a dearth of activities as potential factors.

Shethinks the latter is most likely.

"If we ask [the youth], I bet you they'll say that they're bored."

Give youth a chance

Many community members are disheartened by the crime, and have taken to social media to express their concernssomething Sibbeston sees as a positive step.

"It's getting the conversation started," she said, and it's leading to potential solutions.

On Wednesday, the Fort Simpson Recreation Centre announced it will open its doors on Friday and Saturday evenings in an effort to help curb the problem.

The village council is also designating an area in the new fitness centre with pool tables, table tennis and foosball"where the kids can come and just hang out," says Sibbeston, thoughthat space won't be open for at least another year.

In the meantime, people are suggesting starting a group that runs more activities, such asmovie nights and sober dances. Sibbeston says the village council would fully support that.

'A brave and honest start'

Sibbeston says she's encouraged by everything the community is doing, but adds there's one woman who really stands out.

Earlier this month, Fort Simpson RCMP responded to two break and enter complaints; one at the Unity Store and one at the Seven Spruce Golf Club.

According to an RCMP press release, three suspects were captured on video surveillance; however all were masked and wearing gloves.

"The bravest thing is that one of the parents looked at the video and recognized her son and gave him up," says Sibbeston.

"To me that's a brave and honest start for our community to start doing something about this."

RCMP arrested and charged three youth for those two incidents.