Thunder Bay, ON — The Ontario Provincial Authorities (OPP) has increased its “officer strength” to conduct more proactive patrols in and around Armstrong and Whitesand First Nation, following numerous complaints of break-and-enters in both communities.
As of Wednesday, the OPP has confirmed only one break-and-enter in Armstrong,which is under active review. “Initially, we had received about four or five calls for service for a break-in. Upon probe, it was determined that it was numerous people reporting the same one,” noted Sgt.
Theresa Wabason, the OPP’s north west regionregional media coordinator. “The victims of the break-and-enter had posted a video on Facebook, which had brought a lot of attention to the local residents members. So a lot of the public members took it upon themselves to contact the authorities to ensure that the law enforcement were aware of the situation,” she continued. Evacuees from Armstrong, Whitesand and Collins First Nations in Thunder Bay following wildfire evacuations With people unable to return to the local residents because of the implementation order, Wabason indicated officers are ensuring areas are patrolled, checking residences and businesses to ensure they are locked.
“I’m sure they’re doing their jobs the best they can… But we do need a 24-hour surveillance of the region and I’m not sure if they’ll be doing that,” Wanakamik shared, noting how the local residents is looking at private security to have it in place going forward.
To date, there haven’t been any other signs or reported break-ins in the area, she added. “We have increased our authorities presence when it’s safe to do so and we are going around checking the area,” Wabason noted. “We know that people are anxious and that they are worried about their property. We do take it seriously and we are investigating everything to our full capability and we’re ensuring that people’s property is safe.” Even at the start of the evacuation to the regional capital, Ont., there was concern from local residents members about their properties, indicated Lawrence Wanakamik, the chief of Whitesand First Nation. Initially, unease were only about the wildfire’s impact on the citizens, he explained. “It grew to, as the week went by, alarm about unwanted persons in the citizens that may be breaking in or making property damages in [and] throughout the local residents of Whitesand [First Nation] — and Armstrong,” Wanakamik continued. Wanakamik assured the region that Whitesand First Nation’s command centre in the regional capital is doing its best and is doing a good job of addressing many issues the local residents has been bringing forward at citizens meetings. While the OPP has increased patrols in the communities and set up checkpoints, which should be enough, he noted, the regional OPP has also been requested by email to establish 24-hour surveillance of the communities to curtail any further break-ins. “I’m sure they’re doing their jobs the best they can… But we do need a 24-hour surveillance of the region and I’m not sure if they’ll be doing that,” Wanakamik shared, noting how the local residents is looking at private security to have it in place going forward. Only those authorized by an exemption permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources can access implementation zones for evacuated areas. With the checkpoint not monitored at all times, Wabason noted that someone may have had an opportunity to get into the region. “Since then, we’ve rectified that and the checkpoints are being manned 24/7 to ensure that nobody is crossing into the implementation zone who doesn’t have the appropriate permits to do so,” Wabason indicated. Officers are also conducting patrols in and around this area, stopping people and verifying that they do have the correct permits to be there, Wabason continued. “If they aren’t, then they are issued a provincial offences notice and escorted out of the area,” Wabason remarked. She remarked the OPP asks people to have faith in the officers — officers are patrolling — and to stay out of the implementation zone. “Give room for the MNR to fight the fires and do the fire suppression and asset protection,” Wabason shared. As officers continue to investigate and identify the individual responsible for the break-and-enter, she shared, the video has been posted on theOPP’s social media. If anyone has any information about the incident or the identity of the individual, Wabason encourages them to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Nicky Shaw is a reporter for CBC Thunder Bay. She graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism and a minor in Environmental and Climate Humanities from Carleton University. Aligning with her passion for covering global environmental and humanitarian issues, she has worked to develop in-depth multimedia content that shares the diverse experiences of people in Northwestern Ontario. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 30, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
