Police resources stretched thin due to pandemic-era protests: police chief
Winnipeg police are being stretched thin because of pandemic era protests.
The number of rallies, like the one outside Winnipeg’s Health Science’s Centre last week, are growing exponentially.
“What we’re seeing now is that we’re learning about protests and marches almost daily, for sure weekly,” said Chief Danny Smyth in a presentation to the Winnipeg Police Board. The service says the number of events like this has skyrocketed, some peaceful, others more volatile.
Police say in a normal year the service would respond to 12 to 15 planned rallies and protests.
In 2021 there have already been 110.
Social Justice marches and rallies have been held, including ones to honour children of residential schools.
However, police say an estimated 40 per cent of the events are anti-mask and anti-vaccine gatherings.
“That is indicative of the times that we’re living in now, pandemic, the rise of social justice movements,” said Police Board Chair Markus Chambers.
Smyth says the crowd management unit is usually tasked with responding to these events, but he says the community support unit and general patrol officers are now having to step in as well.
“I heard feedback from our own members who at times have felt a little overwhelmed by these things, you know we’re listening to what they’re telling us, we’re looking at doing some training with them,” said Smyth. Police are also having to make response decisions on the fly about many of these protests and rallies, as word of an event quickly springs up on social media with little notice.
“Our worst fear would be to underestimate something and then find hundreds or thousands of people showing up,” said Smyth. Chambers added people are able to gather quickly now thanks to the internet. Smyth says they’re learning from each protest or march on how to handle the next one, including the hospital protest.
“The units on scene quickly asked for backup so it’s fair to say there were more people there than we anticipated would show up,” said Smyth. The Chief also noted other events like the Summer Solstice March and the Israeli-Palestinian protest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.