Manitobans snap up all available funding for extended security rebate program

The Manitoba government has ended its rebate program for security systems, as the program's budget has been used up.

The province started offering rebates of up to $300 in June to homeowners, renters and small business owners who purchased security cameras and other anti-crime equipment.

Funding for the program was initially capped at $500,000, which was fully allotted within days. Earlier this month, the government quadrupled the funding to $2 million, and that total was reached at the end of last week.

The program is to be evaluated before the government decides whether to relaunch it, but Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said it appears to be successful in making streets safer.

"It seems like every single day I'm hearing another story in the media about law enforcement using thefootage that people have collected to have an impact on public safety," Wiebe said Tuesday.

"We also have our own internal data, of course, that we're going to be going through and evaluating."

Applications submitted before the cutoff are still being processed, and the government estimates close to 8,800 applications will be approved in the end.

The head of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said the popularity of the program is a sign that crime is a major issue.

"It is the No. 1 issue for our members and that is something that is relatively new," Loren Remillard said.

The structure of the rebate program caused some problems, Remillard said. He would like to see something permanent instead of a temporary first-come, first-serve method. A separate funding stream for businesses would also be welcome.

"With having a dedicated stream for business, it allows business to have a better sense as to what the potential success rate may be, given the dollars available." Remillard said.

The NDP promised the program as part of its crime-fighting platform before winning last October's provincial election.

The government has also targeted retail theft by paying police overtime costs to have more officers in high-theft locations. The $1.1-million program is set to expire at the end of the month, and Wiebe said an announcement on next steps is expected Thursday.