'Theft and violence will not be tolerated': Province boosts funding for Winnipeg retail theft initiative
$1.16M committed to carry anti-theft and violent crime initiative to end of August
An anti-theft initiative started on a temporary basis in Winnipeg last month is being extended through the summer with a total of $1.16 million in funding from the provincial government.
"While we will always offer a compassionate and heartfelt response to those who are struggling with mental health, with addictions, we cannot allow organized crime and chaos to operate unchecked in our communities," Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said at a Wednesday funding announcement.
The province initially provided $387,000 to cover overtime for police units to focus on three key areas identified as retail theft hot spots — Osborne Village, the Exchange District and the West End. The four-week initiative ran from June 8 to July 5.
In that time, officers made more than 200 arrests and recovered thousands of dollars in stolen goods, Wiebe said.
Police also spoke with hundreds of store owners and staff, getting an idea of what was happening, and also provided tips to improve layout and better prevent crime, police Supt. Cam Mackid said.
The officers walking the neighbourhoods also logged hundreds of engagements with people that didn't necessarily result in an arrest, Mackid said. That included dealing with people causing a disturbance or being a nuisance, such as refusing to leave a restaurant or store, or sleeping in doorways or on sidewalks.
"As important as the data, to me, is also the feedback that we've been receiving from businesses and from community members … that this initiative has made a real difference, helping them and their customers to feel safe again," Wiebe said.
"What has become abundantly clear is that we need to continue these efforts throughout the summer months."
The latest funding will cover overtime for continued work until the end of August, he said.
"Theft and violence will not be tolerated," Wiebe said.
Some high-profile businesses in Osborne Village, including the Starbucks, closed their doors in recent months amid safety concerns, and the Osborne Village Business Improvement Zone has previously told CBC News employers are worried about escalating violence in the neighbourhood.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said he has witnessed the crime and his son has experienced it.
"I'll never forget being in one of our [city's] stores with my wife a couple of years ago … and someone grabbed a whole armful of jackets and just walked out. I was very frustrated in that moment," he said.
He's heard many stories about young employees in their first work experience being threatened "for just trying to do their jobs," he said.
"We can't have that in our city. We can't allow that. Years ago, I got a text from my son, who was working a part-time job, to say, 'Dad, I'm OK, everyone's OK, but we've just been victims of an armed robbery.' As a parent, it gets you in the core … [and] too many parents in our city have experienced that."
There is a common belief that retail theft is a victimless crime, but that is not true, Gillingham said. Those threatened employees are victims, he said, and when stores close because of crime, the whole community suffers.
WATCH | Winnipeg mayor says retail theft is not a victimless crime:
"Businesses, and especially independent retailers and restaurants, bring character to the life of our neighbourhoods, and they help make our neighbourhoods destinations, not just places to pass through," Gillingham said, highlighting the investment and employment they also bring.
"It's important that these businesses, their employees and their customers, feel safe and feel heard."
Initiative 'a great idea': shop owner
The owner of an Exchange District music store says the soaring price of records in the marketplace has had ripple effects on his business, driving up the number of retail thefts he's seen over the past five years.
"We started noting sections of the store were a little emptier than they should have been," said Into the Music owner Greg Tonn. "It drives up costs.… It makes it harder to make a living."
Tonn, who has been in the retail business for more than 35 years, said he's taken security matters into his own hands, installing cameras to surveil blind spots and stopping would-be thieves as they make their way out of the store.
But the boost in funding for the new retail theft initiative is "a great idea," he said.
Some officers have already come into his business to introduce themselves and run down the services they can provide. He was also given a direct line to connect with the police department.
"Their presence here just gives us a sense of relief that we're not alone," said Tonn.
Brian Scharfstein, whose Canadian Footwear store is also in the Exchange District, said while his store hasn't experienced a great deal of theft, it's suffered along with others because of a poor perception of downtown that has kept customers away.
That's changing now, he said.
"Since the Winnipeg Police Service increased their presence downtown, we are absolutely seeing a reduction in incidents. These officers that we're seeing are bringing trust and confidence to the people working in the area and the general public," he said.
"We need to keep this going."
David Pensato, executive director of the Exchange District BIZ, said the program's value has been "immeasurable." Having officers walking, rather than passing through in cruisers, has engaged the community in a highly effective way by providing a sense of security and safety, he said.
"A pair of police officers walking down the street, checking in with businesses, meeting with residents, talking to visitors, that makes the difference. Those relationships are what matters."
Corrections
- We initially reported that the province is providing an additional $1.16 million in funding for the program. In fact, the province is providing a total of $1.16 million, including the initial $387,000.Jul 10, 2024 3:01 PM CT
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With files from Josh Crabb