The Manitoba government is promising to help combat a spike in crime against Winnipeg businesses, but the Opposition and some in the retail sector warn it’s not nearly enough.
While details were limited, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the province will cover the cost of overtime for Winnipeg police officers to focus on retail crime hotspots.
“Right now, it’s about sending the message we’re standing with retailers, we’re standing with those folks who are looking for law enforcement to stand with them and make their communities safer, and giving those police the immediate resources that they need,” Wiebe told reporters Wednesday.
Wiebe did not say how much money is being provided. Talks are ongoing with police, he said, while noting the current Tuxedo byelection blackout period puts restrictions on government announcements.
During question period, Premier Wab Kinew indicated the overtime funding would equate to four police units. A government spokesperson later said the exact need would be determined during discussions.
It’s unclear when the overtime shifts will begin. The Winnipeg Police Service did not comment.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
‘Funding overtime is a reactive method, not a proactive method,’ says Tory justice critic Wayne Balcaen.
“Funding overtime is a reactive method, not a proactive method,” said Tory justice critic Wayne Balcaen, a former Brandon police chief. “They’re having a difficult time staff-wise, and that’s universal with policing. Adding more overtime is going to further burn out police officers. It’s going to further cause stress.”
The NDP, which has been in office since October, also vowed to address root causes of crime.
Wiebe announced the funding in a ministerial statement in the wake of several well-publicized crimes or incidents involving Winnipeg businesses.
For months — including a period when the PCs were in government — Winnipeg retailers have raised concerns about property crime, such as shoplifting and vandalism, and violent attacks or threats to staff or customers.
“The fact that they’re stepping up, it’s a start,” Munther Zeid, co-owner of the family-owned Food Fare chain, said of the additional police funding. “I don’t think it’s enough. The key to bringing shoplifting down is the (police) response time to the stores.”
Thieves know it could take hours for police to respond to a shoplifting call, and stores do not have the time or resources to detain them until officers arrive, said Zeid.
MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES
Munther Zeid, co-owner of the family-owned Food Fare chain, says he doesn’t think the funding alone is enough.
Food Fare has taken a stand against shoplifters. Company owners or staff often remove people confirmed or suspected to have stolen items, such as meat or cheese.
The approach has led to altercations and allegations of assault. Zeid said shoplifting has increased and there have been acts of retribution since a well-publicized April 28 altercation involving a supervisor and a woman accused of stealing a pack of hot dogs at Food Fare’s West End store.
Three employees were attacked when five masked and armed assailants stormed into the store May 14.
Last week, vehicles belonging to Zeid’s brother and cousin were set on fire in a parking lot. Zeid said the blaze was set by two women who were escorted out of the store for shoplifting.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe did not say how much money is being provided.
“We need to de-escalate the situation specifically at Food Fare,” Wiebe told reporters.
In the house, interim Liberal leader Cindy Lamoureux cited the Food Fare incidents and two recent crimes reported by the Free Press — the theft of more than $38,000 in guitars from a Long & McQuade store and a robbery at a Cinnaholic bakery on McPhillips Street — as examples that crime is “growing out of control” in Manitoba.
She said police are “stretched thin,” and the province must focus on lifting people out of poverty. She suggested bringing back youth justice committees.
Last winter, the WPS launched an enforcement campaign that had a particular focus on serial shoplifters.
The Retail Council of Canada has called for a retail crime unit within the WPS to help tackle the issue.
“We’re encouraged by the response of the province to what we’ve long known is a serious issue of retail crime and stretched resources at the police services,” said John Graham, director of government relations for the RCC’s Prairie branch.
Brianna Solberg, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ provincial director for Manitoba, said the sector is looking for more short-term solutions for a problem that is “very real-time.”
The province’s $300 security rebate program may not go far enough for businesses that are absorbing a significant financial burden, she said.
“Many are struggling due to increased crimes and safety costs,” said Solberg.
She wants Manitoba to look at expanding the program to cover repairs due to vandalism.
A similar program in B.C. offers up to $2,000 per business for the cost of vandalism repairs and up to $1,000 for prevention measures.
— with files from Carol Sanders
chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca
Chris Kitching
Reporter
As a general assignment reporter, Chris covers a little bit of everything for the Free Press.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.