'We will not stand idly by': Manitoba government to pay overtime hours to help curb retail theft
The Manitoba government is stepping in to help curb Winnipeg's retail theft problem.
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced new money for overtime hours so more police officers can respond to calls.
"We will not stand idly by while crime is running rampant in our communities," said Wiebe.
The money comes after some recent high-profile incidents.
Starbucks closed in Osborne Village after a violent incident nearby. More recently, a suspect went behind the counter at Cinnaholic and stole cash from the register.
In addition, the owner of a Winnipeg Foodfare had their vehicle set on fire in the parking lot in broad daylight after shoplifters were confronted.
"I can just say we need to de-escalate the situation."
No details on funding have been shared at this point, but Wiebe said there would be four additional units on the streets, adding he is referring to patrol vehicles and the officers that would staff them.
At Cantor's Quality Meats and Groceries, they are decked out with preventative shoplifting measures like cameras, surveillance video and a security guard.
"You have to keep an eye out on people. You never know what's going on. Things are tough now for people and food is expensive," said Owner Ed Cantor.
He said he witnesses shoplifting every day.
"Money, money, money. It adds up and it goes into the bottom line and somebody has to pay for it."
Cantor hopes the promise of a boosted police presence makes a dent.
"I know they're busy and their short help, and they're short-staffed. I think they need more manpower and a faster response."
The Winnipeg Police Service said it's reviewing the proposal from the province, and looks forward to further consultation.
Mayor Scott Gillingham is happy to see the support coming from the provincial level.
"Certainly, I and now the province want to assist retail operators with what they're going through right now," said Gillingham.
Winnipeg Police Board Chair Markus Chambers said police resources are stretched thin.
"When you look at weekly protests that are happening in our city, it's taking a toll on our overtime budget," said Chambers.
Chambers added the board will be discussing this in a private meeting before next week's public meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Canada's premiers forced to confront escalating climate change-related disasters
Many of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders remained consumed by climate change-related natural disasters that have only escalated since they met for meetings in Halifax last week.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland. A funeral director blames the government
A funeral director in St. John's says the bodies piling up in freezers at Newfoundland and Labrador's largest hospital likely belong to people whose loved ones couldn't get enough government help to pay for a funeral.
U.K. police officer suspended after video appears to show a man being kicked in head
A British police officer was suspended from all duties Thursday after a video was posted on social media that appeared to show an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying on the floor of a terminal at Manchester Airport.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Monday breaks the record for the hottest day ever on Earth
Driven by oceans that won't cool down, an unseasonably warm Antarctica and worsening climate change, Earth's record hot streak dialed up this week, making Monday the hottest day humans have measured.