By Jeremy Davis
In June, the Winnipeg Police Service released their Annual Statistical Report for 2023. The report outlined trends on crime in Winnipeg and showed that property and violent crimes in the city were up over the 5-year average.
Property crime is particularly concerning for homeowners and business owners, while violent crime is of concern across Winnipeg, including downtown. It is for this reason that three recent announcements made by the provincial government are noteworthy, as they are providing support to homeowners, renters, small business owners, and organizations in our downtown with the intent of helping make Winnipeg a safer place for residents.
Downtown safety action plan
Recently, the provincial government announced a downtown safety action plan that aims to enhance public safety in downtown Winnipeg. The plan will see the provincial government join forces with Mayor Scott Gillingham and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. Through an investment of almost $1.5 million in 2024-2025, the provincial government will:
• Join with Mayor Scott Gillingham’s office and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ to provide funding that will expand support for the Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) to increase visibility downtown. Funding is broken down by:
- Province of Manitoba: $435,672
- City of Winnipeg: $100,000
- Downtown Winnipeg BIZ: $50,000
• Increase mental health training support for downtown partners which provide mental health and well-being services ($100,000).
• Create a sobering centre in N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives’ Place at 190 Disraeli Freeway (Up to $1,063,000).
It’s great to see the City of Winnipeg and Downtown Winnipeg BIZ joining forces with the provincial government to help make Winnipeg’s downtown a better and safer place to be.
In addition to the increased funding, news was shared that the DCSP is part of a first-in-Canada initiative with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) which enables the two organizations to co-ordinate calls through shared radio systems and computer-aided dispatch. With the ability to communicate on the same radio frequency, both organizations can dispatch and provide the right response at the right time. In circumstances where emergency assistance is not required, other support can be provided which saves time for the community member requiring assistance while also saving time and resources at the WFPS for those who need it most.
The support for N’Dinawemak will include capital improvements for new health and mental health positions at the sobering centre where the space is expected to be able to begin providing services immediately. Included in the services that will be provided are case management, health system navigation, and paramedic services. Once the capital improvements for renovations are completed, services are expected to be scaled up.
The provincial government held a public safety summit in April which was attended by over 300 individuals including youth advocates, business community members, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. The downtown safety action plan was built on the feedback received at the summit and will also form the basis of a comprehensive safety strategy currently under development.
For more information, please see the Province of Manitoba news release at https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=64057&posted=2024-07-09
Security rebate for homeowners, renters and small businesses
The provincial government also recently announced that applications are now being accepted for their new security rebate program, and homeowners, renters and small business owners can apply for a $300 security equipment rebate.
This rebate was initially announced as part of the provincial government’s Budget 2024. This rebate is welcome news for those that have already or are looking to make safety improvements at their home or small business. The one-time rebate of $300 includes upgrades such as security cameras, doorbell cameras, alarm systems, motion detectors, reinforced doors or windows, anti-graffiti film and paints, security gates, pull-down protection shutters and permanent security fencing.
The rebate is available for multiple expenses under $300 for a single property or business and includes any purchases made after September 1, 2023.
For more information about this rebate, please visit www.manitoba.ca/justice/securityrebate.html or scan the QR code found at the end of this article.
Enhanced Winnipeg Police Service response to retail and violent crime
In addition to the above-mentioned initiatives, the provincial government also announced funding of $1.16 million through the summer to help the Winnipeg Police Service respond to violent and retail crime. This funding will include support for additional general patrol units to focus on areas of repeat crime, targeted retail theft initiatives, and engagement with business organizations to help improve safety.
For more information about this Winnipeg Police Service funding initiative, please see the Province of Manitoba news release at https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=64098&posted=2024-07-10
Jeremy Davis is the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board’s Director External Relations & Market Intelligence.