SAULT STE. MARIE -- The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is setting up a break and enter task force, in order to combat a rise in break-ins at stores.

According to Chief of Police, Hugh Stevenson, there have been a total of 39 break-ins in the first two weeks of April, an increase from 24 last year during that span.

Of those 39 cases, 15 were at commercial properties, which Chief Stevenson says is a significant increase.

"There were only two commercial break ins throughout 2019," he said.

"We're not waiting for more numbers to come in, we're forming an all hands on deck task force."

Stevenson says that includes educating the public on how to better protect themselves from break ins. Police will also be focussing their efforts on areas where break ins are occurring frequently.

"It's really a message to that criminal subculture that it's morally reprehensible during a time of pandemic," said Stevenson.

"While store owners shut down for the benefit of the community, others would seek to take advantage of it. That's wrong."

The formation of the task force comes as a bit of peace of mind for one store owner.

Joe's Sports and Surplus was broken into just before 6 a.m. Wednesday.

"It was a custom wood door and they were able to bust through the top half and get in," said owner Dave Edgar. 

"It was quite quick, about three minutes, seemed to know exactly what they were going for and made off with over $6000 dollars in merchandise."

Edgar says his store isn't the only one to have been broken into.

He says he's heard of at least two in the area that took place in recent weeks.

With many of these stores closed due to the pandemic, Edgar says owners need help now more than ever.

"Anything they can do the help, as owners we feel kinda helpless," said Edgar.

"It gets to the point where you can't even make an insurance claim because you're insurance rates just keep going up and up."

Chief Stevenson says police will be asking for increased penalties against those who are caught breaking into storefronts and homes.

He adds that compliance checks will also be asked of by the courts, should offenders be released.