CamBay moves against vandalism with new bylaw officer, nightly patrols

This recently-finished half pipe for kids to test out their skills on bikes and skateboards is part of the solution to youth vandalism undertaken by the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay — the other is the hiring of a second bylaw officer to help patrol the town’s streets at night. (FILE PHOTO)

The Hamlet of Cambridge Bay has hired a second by-law officer to patrol at night in the western Nunavut town of 1,500.

That’s after a several incidents of vandalism over this past summer.

The most recent major case of vandalism caused thousands of dollars of damages to the recently-closed youth group home.

But that wasn’t the worst or most costly incident of youth-related vandalism to take place this past summer — that goes to the oil spill which took place in June when youth turned opened the valve on a container, which held up about 11,000 litres of waste oil in the Kitnuna Corp. yard — and then walked away as the oil spilled down the hill and into the bay.

Among the hamlet’s other moves to reduce youth vandalism: a new half-pipe for young bikers and skateboarders opened Aug. 7.

Many in the community called for the hiring of another bylaw officer who to work during the night after the vandalism showed no sign of tapering off in the community during the summer.

Now people can report any suspicious activity to a bylaw officer at anytime, day and night, at (867) 983-4656.

However, the hiring of the second bylaw officer is a temporary measure, said the hamlet’s senior administrative officer, Stephen King, said Aug. 19.

Until the hamlet’s budget is reviewed, the hamlet lacks the money to hire a second permanent bylaw officer, King previously told Nunatsiaq News.