Winnipeg police aims to increase downtown safety during events
Winnipeg police officers are hoping to boost people’s sense of safety when they come downtown.
As events such as Winnipeg Jets’ games ramp up, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) is emphasizing proactive measures such as increased visibility and foot patrols in the city’s core.
“They will be there and they will be present, again with our cadets and all those other community resources,” said Insp. Helen Peters.
Peters said WPS is working with downtown businesses and community organizations, including True North Sports + Entertainment, Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP), and other safety teams.
“As police officers, we're so often caught in that cycle of responding to events after they've happened, and what we really want to do is be a proactive resource and support working together,” Peters said.
In order to be a “proactive resource,” WPS said it will respond to feedback it’s heard from the community and downtown businesses. For example, police plan to spend more time checking on parking lots and garages, as many people have reported their vehicles were broken into during events.
“Please reach out to the community safety teams, DCSP, as you see them in the walkways, when you see them on the streets, if you see them in the parking lots, let them know if you see something that makes you feel unsafe,” said Peters.
While foot patrols were already out and about during the Jets’ home opener Friday, Peters said additional resources will be added in the coming weeks.
As the temperatures drop, Peters said the increased visibility will remain unchanged.
“Weather changes things in just how we prepare, but it doesn't change our responsibilities,” she said. “Our responsibility is to be a visible and physical presence and be there. So what I would say is, yes, it's not pleasant, but we're still going to be here for you.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
Satire slinger The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families
The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, backed by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims whom Jones owes more than $1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the massacre a hoax, the families announced Thursday.
South African government says it won't help 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine
South Africa's government says it will not help an estimated 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country's North West province who have been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining.
'Only in Australia': Couple comes home to find koala in bed
Koalas are normally found in eucalyptus trees, but one couple came home in Australia on Wednesday and were shocked to find one in their bedroom.
2 B.C. Realtors fined $100K apiece for failing to disclose information to clients
Two B.C. real estate agents have been fined a combined total of more than $200,000 for professional misconduct they committed during the sale of a waterfront property on the Sunshine Coast in 2017.
Trump's defence secretary pick said women shouldn't be in combat roles. These female veterans fear what comes next
Female veterans fear the progress made for women in combat since then will be reversed after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump announced Pete Hegseth this week as his pick for secretary of defense – a Fox News host and Army veteran who has criticized efforts to allow women into combat roles.
opinion Why the new U.S. administration won't have much time for us
In a column for CTVNews.ca, former Conservative Party political advisor and strategist Rudy Husny says that when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau goes to the G-20 summit next week, it will look more like his goodbye tour.
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
A look at how much mail Canada Post delivers, amid a strike notice
Amid a potential postal worker strike, here’s a look at how many letters and parcels the corporation delivers and how those numbers have changed in the internet age.