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The Manitoba government has introduced a new public safety plan aimed at reducing crime and addressing its root causes.
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The Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy, announced by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe this week, outlines several initiatives to improve safety across the province.
“Manitobans know that to see real change we must address crime and the causes of crime,” said Wiebe. “That’s what this strategy is all about. Right now, we have the chance to turn things around for the better. This strategy is just the beginning, to provide a new path forward for everyone in Manitoba to feel safe.”
The strategy targets violent crime, retail theft, and focuses on community-led justice and reconciliation. It includes measures such as making the Retail Crime Initiative permanent, funding new police officers in Winnipeg, and investing in safer communities with an increase in municipal law enforcement funding.
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Other key components of the plan include establishing a new Centre for Justice in Dauphin, expanding the electronic monitoring program, strengthening impaired driving laws, and hiring 100 new mental health workers. The government is also focusing on youth empowerment, with a youth summit planned to engage young Manitobans on solutions to public safety issues.
“We believe in creating pathways to success rather than pipelines to prison by empowering and supporting our youth and preventing people leaving prison from reoffending,” Wiebe added.
The strategy follows consultations with 210 community groups, law enforcement, Indigenous organizations, and other stakeholders. Grand Chief Garrison Settee of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak called the strategy “true ReconciliACTION,” while Kathy Valentino of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between the provincial government and municipalities.
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