KLEIN: Increase public safety by focusing on proactive policing

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There are growing conversations about the long wait times for police response in Winnipeg, calls in the cue. Whether it’s a call for help during a crisis, a concern for safety, or an escalating emergency — our city’s ability to respond effectively is being tested, and in many cases, is failing. I hear the frustration from Winnipeggers every day.

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This isn’t the first time policing has been a hot topic in our city. I remember the wave of protests during the “Defund the Police” movement, which surged through the legislative grounds with hundreds upon hundreds of people carrying signs that called for drastic cuts to our law enforcement budget. I saw politicians standing among them, some even proudly posting photos on social media. I recall Minister of Health Uzoma Asagwara and Councilor Markus Chambers, who is now the current Police Board Chair, among them. They, and others, have aligned themselves with a message that some people feel resonates with progress. I am not afraid to say I believe firmly that defunding the police is not the answer.

One recurring suggestion is that other professionals should be responding to certain types of calls instead of police officers. I get it — there are valid concerns that law enforcement may not always be the best first responder for every situation, especially in cases involving a mental health crisis or verifying someone’s wellbeing. Let’s think this through.

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As Chair of the Police Board, I’ve had many conversations with officers, as well as social workers, and mental health professionals. Many of them admitted that they would only attend certain homes or areas with police protection. They feared for their safety since many of these situations can become unpredictable and violent in an instant. This isn’t fearmongering; this is the reality of working on the frontlines.

We cannot, in good conscience, send social workers, nurses, or mental health experts to these situations without ensuring their safety. What happens if someone becomes violent or is armed? How do we expect untrained civilians to handle situations where the potential for harm is high? The solution is not to remove police from these encounters; it’s to enhance their role by creating specialized units where officers work alongside these professionals.

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Other parts of Canada have already adopted this approach. Jurisdictions have introduced programs where an officer is partnered with a social worker or a nurse to respond specifically to calls involving mental health or wellness checks. They don’t just talk about it — they’ve implemented it. But here’s the catch; this model still requires more police officers. You can’t allot these responsibilities to current officers who are busy dealing with violent crimes or other critical tasks and ensure that law enforcement is present within this new unit.

In Winnipeg, however, the reality is that we don’t even have the necessary police officers to focus on proactive policing, and patrol high-crime areas, let alone implement specialized units for mental health or social work. Instead, they’re rushing from one crisis to the next. Officers are overworked, stretched thin, and constantly responding to emergencies rather than building meaningful relationships in the community that could help prevent crime before it happens.

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Our police are doing the best they can with the resources they have, but it’s not enough. Let me reiterate a point I’ve made time and time again: The number of police units on Winnipeg’s streets has not increased in over twenty years despite the significant growth in the population. That’s a staggering fact when you consider that we now have the highest rate of violent crime in the country.

People in power are quick to make excuses. They point to budget constraints or other priorities. But let’s be honest; the number one objective of any elected official should be to protect the citizens they serve. Public safety is not an area where we can afford to cut corners. Mayor Gillingham and Premier Kinew themselves have pointed to the success of increased foot patrols in Winnipeg, though they’re often funded through costly overtime. The evidence is clear; more visible police presence works. This is not a sustainable solution overtime. We need permanent boots on the ground.

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To tackle the crime crisis in Winnipeg, we need to hire more police officers, and we need to get the drugs, guns, and gangs out of our city. The provincial and federal governments have to keep repeat offenders in jail, implementing consequences for actions. We cannot “rearrest” our way out of crime.

All of this requires sufficient resources and more officers. By expanding our force, we can invest in specialized units trained to handle specific issues such as mental health. This ensures that both professionals and the public remain safe. It also allows officers to focus on more proactive forms of policing — patrolling high-crime areas, taking down organized crime rings, and going after the drug and gun dealers who are poisoning our streets.

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This isn’t just about dealing with emergencies as they arise. It’s about preventing crime before it happens. It’s about giving police the time and resources they need to do real police work — identifying and disrupting criminal operations, building trust with residents, and making our city a safer place.

We cannot keep ignoring this problem. The evidence is clear — our city’s police force is under-resourced, which leads to dangerous consequences. For the safety of our community, it’s time to prioritize hiring more police officers and ensuring they have the tools and support they need to do their job effectively.

It’s time to stop making excuses. It’s time to act.

The safety of Winnipeggers depends on it.

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