'We have to respond with compassion': Safety top of mind for downtown Winnipeg employees
CTV
As the number of people returning to downtown rises, the trend in crime has followed.
When lawyer Evan Chrusch has to work downtown five days a week, he considers personal safety.
“I feel myself, and probably others look over your shoulder a little more than you did maybe 10 or so years ago,” he said, “People are probably going to be a little less willing to do something bad if there’s a lot of people around.”
As the number of people returning to downtown rises, the trend in crime has followed.
According to the 2023 numbers from the Winnipeg Police Statistical Report, all crime in the downtown area has increased by 15.1 percent over the last five years, while violent crime is nearly double that number, at 30.1 percent.
“If you see somebody on the street, under the influence of drugs, having a fist fight with an imaginary person, we need to take them off of the street in the name of public safety before they cause more problems to themselves and to others,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, the province announced an investment of $1.5 million to form a downtown safety action plan. Many violent incidents have their roots in addiction. The Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) will receive 435 million in funds to continue connecting people to services through their patrol program.
