Winnipeg police anti-theft program extended until October with boost in provincial funding

Police officers deployed as part of an anti-theft initiative will continue patrolling three crime hot spots in Winnipeg until the end of October after the province extended its funding for the program, Premier Wab Kinew said Thursday.

Manitoba is allocating $774,000 to extend the program through September and October, covering overtime for Winnipeg police officers patrolling Osborne Village, the Exchange Districtand the West End, areas identified as retail theft hot spots.

"It's been outpouring from business owners who have said that having the visible presence of the WPS, having the quick response, having people walking through the neighbourhood is really making a difference," Kinew said at an announcement Thursday afternoon.

Matt Wiebe, Manitoba's attorney general, said the additional funding will extend the program's lifespan while the province works with Winnipeg police to develop a long-term, sustainable solution to address violence and retail crime.

Winnipeg police Supt. Dave Dalal said internal discussions are ongoing to ensure officers can provide a "consistent level of service" after the temporary project comes to an end.

"Overall crime rate has gone down in these three areas of focus significantly," he said, but he didn't provide an update on the number of arrests police have made through the program since early July.

He did say investigations into retail theft have helped police track down repeat offenders.

Manitoba allocated funding earlier this summer for the initiative to run from June 8 to July 5. After police made more than 200 arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen goods, the province decided to extend the program until the end of August, with a total of $1.16 million.

"We've heard the message loud and clear from businesses, from residents, that the increased presence by the WPS in [the] community has made a difference," Wiebe said.

Results from the program over the past months led the government to once again beef up the funding and extend the program.

"Business owners who have said the only option they saw was closing up [their] shop and walking away from their businessnow see help is on the way, and that there is a brighter future coming," Wiebe said.

'Just a start'

Nick Van Seggelen, owner of the Bodegoes restaurant in Old Market Square, said he doesn't have have to deal with much crime in his business, but he has seen vandalism in the area as well as some break-and-enters.

He said more needs to be done to address underlying issues of mental health, addictions and poverty, but that the initiative does help.

"I usually talk to them a couple times a week. I'll see a unit roll in, just check in," he said.

"Overall interactions with them, from what I've seen with just general people in the area too, it's good.... They just feel rejuvenated or exhilarated that they're here."

Van Seggelensaid he would like to see the initiative continue beyond October.

Mayor Scott Gillinghamsaid the extended police presence patrolling the streets and stopping by stores has not only helped reduce crime rates, but also restored the confidence of customers who may have worried about crime.

But he said more needs to be done down the line in the justice system, calling for a reform of the bail system to keep offenders from relapsing into crime.

"This is just a start," Gillingham said. "It can't just be catching people."

The sustainability of the program is also reliant on the well-being of police officers, he said.

More officers are being recruited to the city's police forcein an attempt to not overextend the capacity of officers who work overtime, he said.

"We want to ensure that there's a good work-life balance and sustainability for the important work that they do on the front lines each and every day," Kinew said.

Progressive Conservative LeaderWayne Ewasko told CBC News in an emailed statement thatthe NDP government is failing todeliver "anything other than sound bites and window dressing" when it comes to keepingManitobans safe.

"This is not just [a] downtown Winnipeg issue, it's happening all over our province and requires more than simply burning out police officers with overtime," the statement says.

Province extends funding so Winnipeg anti-theft initiative can continue through October

3 days ago

Duration 2:01

Police officers deployed as part of an anti-theft initiative will continue patrolling three crime hot spots in Winnipeg until the end of October after the province extended its funding for the program, Premier Wab Kinew said Thursday.