Winnipeg Police release annual report of city crime
The number of total crimes in Winnipeg declined 10 per cent during the first year of the pandemic compared to 2019, according to the Winnipeg Police Service’s annual statistical report.
The report, released Tuesday by the WPS, shows the number of violent crimes dropped three per cent and property crimes were down nearly 14 per cent in 2020 compared to the previous year.
Winnipeg recorded 42 homicides in 2020, down 4.5 per cent compared to 2019 when the city hit a grim record of 44 homicides in one year.
Danny Smyth, chief of the Winnipeg Police Service, is scheduled to address the report in interviews with media outlets, including CTV News Winnipeg, on Tuesday afternoon.
Smyth said in a prepared statement Tuesday morning the modest decrease in violent crimes was driven primarily by a reduction in robberies.
“However, the number of homicides was quite high for the second year in a row,” Smyth’s statement reads. “I do note some cause for concern regarding the increase in assault with a weapon offences, and in particular, the number of knife-related events.”
The homicide rate for Indigenous people in Canada is seven times higher compared non-Indigenous people, according to new numbers released in a separate report by Statistics Canada. The agency said a history of colonization, including residential schools, work camps and forced relocation has profoundly affected Indigenous communities and families.
“As a result, many Indigenous peoples experience challenging social and economic circumstances,” Statistics Canada said in a report on police-reported crimes. “These factors play a significant role in the over-representation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system and as victims of crime.”
Police across Canada reported 201 Indigenous people died in homicides in 2020, up 22 compared to 2019. Two-thirds (62 per cent) were identified by police as First Nations people.
Smyth said COVID-19 is a factor in this year’s crime statistics in Winnipeg, but he added it will likely be another year before the police service will be able to see the full effects of the pandemic on its operations.
“Property crime was significantly reduced compared to the previous year, with fewer reports of break & enter, shoplifting and theft under $5,000 being reported,” Smyth said in the statement. “There was a dramatic decrease in the number of liquor store thefts, primarily driven by the implementation of security protocols by the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.”
Smyth said calls to the police communications centre fell by almost six per cent but he said the total number of calls dispatched increased. Of those, he said the number of check well-being calls increased by 12 per cent, surpassing domestic violence as the top reason why police are dispatched in the community.
According to Statistics Canada, Winnipeg had the second-highest crime severity index of big Canadian cities (116.3, down 12 per cent from 2019) in 2020, behind only Lethbridge (138.7, down three per cent from 2019).
The crime severity index measures the volume and severity of crimes reported to police.
Statistics Canada found the crime severity index across Canada went down 7.9 per cent in 2020 due to stay-at-home orders and public health restrictions, with the exception of hate crimes which increased 37 per cent during the first year of the pandemic.
The number of police-reported hate crimes in Canada went from 1951 incidents in 2019 to 2669 in 2020 marking the largest number of police-reported hate crimes since comparable data became available in 2009.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.