PHOTO BY ADRIAN ALLEYNE Enlarge Image

Judy Simcox (front), treasurer of Citizens for Crime Awareness District 4, with Wendy Koenig, president of CFCA District 4, in front of the police service centre on Henderson Highway that houses the office of CFCA.

The potential closure of the Winnipeg Police Community service centre  in North Kildonan has at least one area group looking for answers.

Members of the Citizens for Crime Awareness District 4, said they were informed that the centre at 1400 Henderson Hwy. will be closing in the near future.

The centre, which also provides an office for CFCA District 4, offers a number of services to the community including a place to apply for a  criminal record check, or for alarm permits.

Judy Simcox, treasurer for CFCA District 4, said if the centre were to close it would leave a void in the community.

 "Residents come in there for issues ranging from bullying and neighbour disputes," Simcox said.

"It’s a place that people know is there and they feel safer because it’s there."

Sharing an office with police officers has been a benefit to the organization, but Simcox is concerned about what will happen if it closes.

"It’s such a convenient spot because we are with the police there, and we talk with the officers and ask their opinions," she said.

Const. Natalie Aitken, spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Police Service, confirmed there have been discussions about the futures of the Henderson and St. Mary’s Road centres.

"A workload analysis has been completed on both centres and a proposal has been presented to the Winnipeg Police Service’s executive management team," she said.

Aitken said a preliminary proposal has been approved, but there’s still work to be done before any final decisions on the centres are made.

"Some of the processes that are underway will be consulting with members of city council and various other public stakeholders," Aitken said.

"We will assure that all pertinent information will be collected and reviewed prior to any final decision being made."

Wendy Koenig, president of CFCA District 4, said closing the Henderson centre would make it difficult for CFCA to be accessible to the public, especially since the office is provided rent free.

"It makes it difficult if we’re not there to have a place for people to directly reach us," Koenig said.

"We’re not the type of organization that has money to pay for rent. It would make it difficult for us to be accessible to the public."

Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) said he’s against any closure of the service centre.

"I’m opposed to closing that centre. We spent a lot of money and time building that," he said.

"We still have a need for police in North Kildonan. Sure there are more calls in some other areas, but a physical presence is still needed."

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adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com