Whitehorse vandalism victims don't call for vengeance

The Whitehorse RCMP heard that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, when it asked victims of vandalism and break-ins to have their say.

Members of the Community Policing Committee say they want the RCMP to focus on crime prevention and community outreach.

Nancy Oakley works with the Yukon Historical and Museums Association. During the summer, someone ripped shingles off the roof of a historic building in a downtown park.  

"We could stuff the park full of security cameras and get the cops patrolling all the time, but we recognize that's not really going to solve the issue. That's just going to push it into someone else's backyard," she says. 
 
Asked what she would like to see, Oakley suggests projects like after-school programs. 

We could stuff the park full of security cameras and get the cops patrolling all the time, but we recognize that's not really going to solve the issue. That's just going to push it into someone else's backyard- Nancy Oakley, Yukon Historical and Museums Association

"Things like (designated) graffiti walls, recognising that the roots of crime of quite complex, and no one thing is going to solve it. Having a positive conversation," she said. 

Andrea Drainville, executive director, Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society, also attended the Community Policing Committee meeting on August 19.  

She has similar thoughts. 

"People are concerned and people want to help," she said. "And definitely, there was a lot of respect given to the role that RCMP has played rectifying some of these issues, but we recognize as a community there's a lot we can do to assist and prevent crime as well." 

Watershed Cafe saw three break-ins this summer 

One person who could understandably hold a grudge is Micah Quinn, owner of Whitehorse's Watershed Cafe. 

This summer thieves broke into his new business — three times.

"It's emotionally, I don't how how else to say it. It's traumatizing and devastating in a way," said Quinn. 

"You work so hard to make something that's meant to be positive for the community,and all-inclusive." 

Asked what he would like to see, Quinn said enforcement is a part of the puzzle. He'd like to see charges against people who broke into his business. 

However, he agreed that Whitehorse's recent problem won't be solved with more security cameras and more bars on windows.

"Enforcement is part of it," he says. "But also youth advocacy groups, the Chamber of Commerce, different groups that engage youth and families and working with vulnerable people. All these stakeholders play a role in addressing this complicated issue," he said. 

Ten people charged so far

Whitehorse RCMP Criminal Operations Inspector Archie Thompson says officers are investigating break-ins and vandalism, which they estimate are happening at three times last year's rate.

"I can tell you that we've had quite a bit of success in apprehending many of those responsible. I know ten particular investigations resulted in charges," said Thompson. "But above and beyond that, I am meeting with community members to look at the underlying problems and look at what we can do as a community to solve this," he said. 

The Community Policing Committee was launched in 2013.