‘We want you to feel safe’: police to boost patrols at retail hubs during holiday season

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This article was published 04/12/2024 (276 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police are stepping up their presence in shopping areas in the city to combat retail theft and bring “peace of mind” to customers and staff over the busy holiday season.

Shoppers can expect to see more officers, including major-crimes investigators, in malls and other shopping locations throughout December.

“Retail theft and related incidents have as significant impact on our community, and we continue to take proactive steps to address these challenges,” major crimes Winnipeg Police Service Insp. Jennifer McKinnon said at a news conference at CF Polo Park Wednesday.

“It’s not always about the theft itself, but more about the safety of our workforce and our community. We do not want the Grinch to steal our holiday shopping season.”

She said officers will carry out focused enforcement and have a visible presence in retail hubs, with foot patrols to continue in the downtown area, Osborne Village, West End and Exchange District.

“We want you to come out, we want you to enjoy shopping. You need to get those gifts under your trees, and we want our officers to be out, we want them to be present, we want you to see them and we want you to feel safe,” McKinnon said.

Crime Stoppers will release a retail theft “most wanted” list to coincide with the campaign.

“These are chronic, repeat offenders that have used violence when completing the act of theft,” McKinnon said.

She said the December program will see some officers work overtime, but will also see community support and community relations officers visit shopping malls during their regular shifts. She added that police are trying to move away from using officers on overtime for retail theft matters to make the response more sustainable.

CF Polo Park general manager Peter Havens said the centre’s security staff is on “high alert” and working closely with police over the busiest shopping period of the year.

“Our goal is to create a safe and enjoyable environment where you can focus on truly what matters: the joy of the holiday season,” he told reporters.

Havens encouraged shoppers to speak to security if they see anything suspicious, concerning or out of the ordinary.

On Nov. 26, two men, aged 46 and 48, sitting on a bench in the mall were randomly confronted and stabbed, police said. The victims and CF Polo Park security held the suspect until police arrived.

A 20-year-old man is facing charges of assault, possession of a weapon and failing to comply with conditions of a release order. He was released from custody on an undertaking.

Havens said such violence is deeply concerning for the mall’s tenants and their staff.

“Our staff did a great job of containing the situation, but it’s always about who is impacted,” said Havens.

He said mall officials spend an “inordinate amount of time” talking to tenants about keeping their stores safe and work with Polo Park’s security team to try to keep the premises secure, in conjunction with police.

In a separate incident Nov. 24, WPS officers fatally shot a man at a Unicity bus stop after they said he stabbed an officer in the throat. Police were carrying out a retail theft project in the area at the time.

This holiday season’s anti-shoplifting campaign is using crime data to target specific shopping areas in a bid to deter thieves and respond quickly to incidents.

Micah Qiyuk, who was shopping at Polo Park with her young daughter, said the police announcement made her uneasy.

“It’s scary,” the 21-year-old said, adding she hasn’t seen anything that has caused her concern when she’s been in the mall.

“It does (make me feel safer) but I guess knowing there’s going to be more criminal activity, possibly, for the police to hang around here, it’s scary. You used to be just able to walk around.”

Two friends who meet regularly for coffee chose the Polo Park Starbucks this week.

Brian, a 66-year-old who asked his surname not be used, said particularly following the stabbings last week, seeing police officers present in the mall makes him feel more at ease.

“I think it helps, but it doesn’t fix it,” added Kelly, 64, who also asked his surname not be printed.

“It doesn’t fix it, but it makes you feel little more safe, when you see them, you have more confidence, if something does happen, they’re here,” said Brian. “But it’s rampant in this city, all over the place.”

WPS launched a shoplifting crackdown over the 2023 holiday season, following a sharp increase in reports of thefts and violence.

The seasonal enforcement campaign was followed by a provincially funded program, which has since been made permanent.

Police reminded shoppers to be mindful of their surroundings inside stores, malls or in parking lots, and to keep all bags, packages, electronics and other valuables out of sight in their vehicle.

WPS said shoppers should stick to well-lit areas, carry only what they need and take care when handling cash or making purchases.

For those who are buying from strangers via online platforms, designated buy-and-sell exchange zones are set up at WPS stations.

Police also reminded retailers or staff that property can be replaced, and not to put themselves or customers at risk.

People should stay calm and keep a safe distance if someone is causing a disturbance, or call 911 if there is a threat to life or safety.

WPS is urging people to report non-emergency thefts via the service’s website to help police track crime trends and plan their response.

In 2023, reports of shoplifting of items valued under $5,000 soared by 45.4 per compared with the previous year.

Reports had doubled since 2021, although the 2023 total was below 2019 and 2020 figures fuelled by liquor store thefts.

Retail groups have said shoplifting is a vastly under-reported crime.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca