Winnipeg police getting more money to deal with firearm trafficking
The Winnipeg Police Service is receiving new money from the provincial government to put a dent into firearm trafficking.
Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced more than $17,000 will be given to the Winnipeg Police Service to help deal with gun crimes in the city. The money will be used to purchase equipment for officers and give them training to allow them to better track and restore serial numbers of seized firearms.
During his announcement Goertzen said police services across Canada, including in Winnipeg, are seeing increased gun crimes, including trafficking.
“It is alarming, it is dangerous, it’s a trend that our frontline police officers are seeing, and they themselves are put at risk as part of this trend.” Goertzen said. “It’s a concern to bystanders; it’s a concern to civilians who could be at risk of stray gunfire.”
Firearms investigations in Winnipeg are completed by the Firearms Investigative Analysis Section (FIAS) of the Winnipeg Police Service. The unit examines seized guns and attempts to identify their sources by restoring destroyed serial numbers. Goertzen said four WPS officers recently received training from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to examine and restore destroyed serial numbers.
“Any firearm with its serial number obliterated is a crime gun, and is a trademark of a smuggled or trafficked firearm for a criminal purpose,” said Insp. Elton Hall with the WPS.
According to the province, FIAS seized 859 guns in 2021, up from 721 in 2020. Of the firearms seized in 2021, 89 firearms had their serial numbers restored.
So far this year, 455 crime guns have been seized in Winnipeg, with 79 serial numbers restored, Hall said.
He added restoring the serial number allows officers to track down where the firearms came from, to find out if it was stolen, or if it was used in other crimes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
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.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
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.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
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.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.