Gillingham hopes programs will help ease Winnipeg violent crime problem

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Winnipeg’s violent crime problem is getting worse – up 12.1% according to the most recent Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) statistics.

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The Winnipeg Sun spoke with Mayor Scott Gillingham, who has contributed $100,000 from his office budget to bolster downtown foot patrols. He said police are currently inundated with 911 calls – many unrelated to crime – placing an enormous burden on the system.

“We have to make sure we are deploying police officers to police-related calls,” said Gillingham when asked if taxpayers are getting value for their money when it comes to policing. “There are so many calls where there could be another agency that responds.”

To help manage 911 call volume, police are aided by Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis (ARCC) teams. ARCC is a partnership between the WPS and Shared Health’s Crisis Response Centre that responds to non-criminal crisis situations with a uniformed police officer and an accompanying a mental health worker from Crisis Response Services.

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“The province thankfully has committed to hiring more mental health workers to participate in the ARCC program,” said Gillingham.

According to Statistics Canada, Winnipeg’s crime severity index rose 20% from 2021-2022. Additional WPS data shows a 31.4% increase in violent crime over a five year average. Firearm use, knife crime and general weapon use was up. Police say shoplifters in Winnipeg are starting to arm themselves.

In response, there are a number of programs taking shape – partnerships between the City, province, police and social service agencies, said Gillingham, noting the province recently announced the extension of an initiative to fight retail theft.

Premier Wab Kinew is quick to respond when it comes to deploying new programs, including a new downtown sobering centre for those suffering with addiction, said Gillingham.

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Also, the province made a commitment for 24 additional police officers for downtown foot patrols. The WPS is currently hiring and training those members, said Gillingham.

“One of my campaign commitments was to work with the province to reestablish the joint warrant unit,” said Gillingham, noting the unit – in operation – is a collaboration between the RCMP and WPS.

The unit targets individuals who are breaching court orders, or who have outstanding warrants, he said.

City Hall is attempting to reduce crime on transit. Community Safety Teams are currently deployed – another of Gillingham’s campaign promises.

The officers patrol on and around the Winnipeg Transit system, including in buses, marked vehicles, and on-foot around downtown transit hubs.

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“They’ve already been dealing with issues of violence on busses and making the transit system safer,” said Gillingham. “We have a ways to go, but it’s a start.”

Also, the City is contributing $150,000 per year for the next several years to the downtown YMCA to help divert youth from crime.

Gillingham is prioritizing a unified approach to tackling homelessness. There are a number of competing philosophies at play, he said.

“There are services the City of Winnipeg does not provide that the province does provide,” he said.

“We are in talks right now about the development of a community safety plan. It’s about pulling all the agencies into alignment.”

Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General Matt Wiebe told the Winnipeg Sun he blames budget cuts from the previous provincial government for Winnipeg’s crime problem.

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“We’ve taken some very serious steps to address these issues, including more resources for law enforcement, strengthened bail policies, and better partnerships with downtown community safety,” he said.

Progressive Conservative Critic for Justice Wayne Balcaen told the Sun he is disappointed by the province’s alleged cuts to the public safety budget.

“Investments happen in Winnipeg, but they are forgetting about the rest of the province,” he said.

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