Iqaluit museum improves locks after break-in, theft
Cash, gift shop items stolen from Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum in early hours of Sept. 27
A break-in and theft, followed by another break-in attempt prompted Iqaluit’s Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum to improve its locks to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We haven’t had that type of break-in,” said Jessica Kotierk, the manager and curator of the museum, which houses Inuit artifacts, sells artwork and hosts community events.
“Sometimes we have people during our open hours take things, but not this kind where they’re breaking in when we’re closed.”
The first break-in, according to Kotierk, took place in the early hours of Sept. 27.
In that incident, a person was caught on the museum’s security cameras forcibly entering the museum through a side door that is not usually open for visitors and taking items from the gift shop.
The person stole approximately $145 from the cash register, a pair of earrings and six pairs of little kamiks (sealskin boots) tied together by string.
None of the museum’s historical artifacts were stolen or damaged, Kotierk said.
“It definitely could have been worse when I considered that things weren’t damaged, like the display cases,” she said.
The attempted break-in, also caught on video, happened in the early hours of Oct. 2, Kotierk said.
The person damaged two doors, but they weren’t able to enter the building.
Following that, the museum reinforced those entrances and modified the locks, Kotierk said.
“We hopefully did more things to make it not possible, not attractive to attempt to break in again,” she said.
Nunavut RCMP is investigating the incidents, spokesperson Cpl. George Henry confirmed.
In recent months, several organizations and community spaces in Iqaluit have reported thefts and break-ins, including the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre, Cadet Hall and First Steps Daycare.
In the Iqaluit RCMP’s latest monthly report to city council, mischief to property was the crime with the highest statistics with 2,258 incidents reported between January and August of this year.
Kotierk said she couldn’t identify the people in the security camera footage.
Fixing the doors and talking to the RCMP impacted the museum’s ability to welcome visitors immediately following the two incidents.
However, things are looking hopeful.
Kotierk said she was looking forward to the museum’s Kinngait print sale on Saturday, the annual general meeting on Thursday, among other events.
“It does impact some of the activities that happened, but mostly with delays, not with canceling anything,” Kotierk said.
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