Winnipeg police are looking for input from citizens on crime prevention, response times and photo radar and have drafted a phone survey to gather feedback.
Coun. Scott Fielding, chair of the protection committee, said the survey is conducted every two years to help police improve service by getting public input.
“Because you know best what should be happening in your community and what is or isn’t happening in your community. It helps augment what the police are doing,” said Fielding.
Ricardo Musto, a West Kildonan resident, said his family has been impacted by crime.
“Somebody assaulted my daughter in the house,” he said.
Dave Bourne, a Westwood resident, said he’s also been impacted by crime with burglars hitting his home.
“I walked in, my microwave was gone. My appliances were gone. The back door was kicked right in,” said Bourne.
Both Musto and Bourne said the police responses to their experiences were appropriate.
“With the police, it was very good. They were professional- came and did their thing,” said Bourne.
“It was good – a lot of empathy. They seemed to care and everything,” said Musto.
The upcoming police survey will examine Winnipeggers attitudes towards overall police performance and crime.
Part of the survey focuses on photo radar.
Currently, photo radar vans can only be placed near schools, playgrounds and constructions zones.
The survey asks if the vans should be allowed to move to spots where more accidents occur or elsewhere at the police’s discretion.
Fielding said the current photo radar vans can’t be moved, under terms of the current seven-year contract.
“Right now, the contract is locked in and there (aren’t) any changes in terms of locations that are being promoted,” he said.
The city has to first award a contract to a private firm for the police survey.
Bids will be accepted until Feb. 4, and the police survey will be conducted sometime after that.
