Kugaaruk curfew aims to vanquish vandals

In the Nunavut community of Kugaaruk, a new curfew bylaw is being used to combat vandalism.

Cpl. Ron Smith of the Kugaaruk RCMP says about two weeks ago children younger than 12 poured paint on surveying equipment and vandalized a helicopter.

That's when RCMP officers drew the line, approaching the hamlet and working with them to create the new curfew.

Now, everyone in Kugaaruk under 16 – and not in the company of a responsible adult – has to be home by midnight on weeknights and holidays.

Smith says the RCMP will warn people once before they start laying fines, which can go up to $100.

Apparently, the new bylaw is working. Smith says there has been a reduction in vandalism since the community constable and the RCMP started enforcing the curfew.

"Everyone is very excited about it," he says. "People come up to me and are thanking me, elders are now saying it's quiet, they can sleep at night, they don't hear kids out. And parents are even saying they're telling their young ones, 'You better stay in or else the police are going to give us tickets.'"

Smith says he has yet to fine anyone under the new curfew bylaw.