Overwhelmed Portage-Sherbrook-Maryland business operators issue urgent call for help

Businesses on a stretch of Portage Avenue where crime, open drug use and overdoses have “escalated” recently, are calling for additional government action or supports for their community and people in crisis.

Several told the Free Press that more people are congregating and using drugs in business doorways, on sidewalks or in bus shelters along Portage near its intersections with Sherbrook and Maryland streets.

“This year, something has happened,” said Mikkey Baire, who opened Mikkey Barber Shop on Portage, just east of Sherbrook, nine years ago. “I’m very sad. I don’t want to see anything (like this). This is a big community, and we need to help.”

Baire, who lives in the area, said Portage and Sherbrook, near the boundaries of downtown Winnipeg, the West End and West Broadway, is a good location for his business and is surrounded by a good community.

The neighbourhood has had a reputation for higher levels of poverty and crime for years. People who live and work in the area said they are increasingly concerned about safety and the addictions, mental-health and homelessness crises in the city.

The neighbourhood is in Coun. Cindy Gilroy’s Daniel McIntyre ward, where she said “major issues” exist in some pockets, including the area around Portage, Sherbrook and Maryland.

“It’s really impacting the businesses and the communities in these areas. It’s a challenge to figure out what to do,” Gilroy said. “Levels of government have to come together.”

The city’s community safety team has spent more time in the area in the last week in response to concerns.

Some people who were openly using drugs told the safety team members they recently moved into transitional housing units in the area after being homeless, a source said.

The province has said “wraparound” supports for addictions or other needs are provided to people in transitional housing.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said he has discussed the problem of open drug use with Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers, and he will also ensure police are aware of the community’s concerns.

“The chief has my full support, if his members begin to clamp down on that,” Gillingham said. The WPS did not provide a comment Friday.

Gilroy said she planned to speak to police about the possibility of increased foot patrols.

Brenden Gali, general manager of Public Domain, a restaurant, bar and live music venue at 633 Portage, said some issues, including open drug use, have “escalated.”

“We don’t blame individuals who are coming into the (area),” he said. “It’s definitely more of a structural issue we need to find our way through.”

Gali estimated his employees and customers administer naloxone — a medication used to temporarily reverse an overdose from opioids such as fentanyl — to people in front of or near the venue about once a month. The latest happened Wednesday, he said.

Business owners or managers said some violence has occurred recently, in addition to break-ins, vandalism and shoplifting.

Susan Lockhart, president of the Just Like New to You thrift store at 635 Portage, said someone set a small fire in the shop’s doorway after trying to break in Sunday night. The fire was extinguished by passersby.

“Our place could have burned, and the whole block could have burned,” she said. “Every morning I wake up and I worry our store is either going to be burned down or broken into.”

Lockhart said there has been a sudden increase in people openly selling illicit drugs or smoking meth.

“The last two weeks, I don’t know what’s going on,” she said, noting some customers and volunteers are scared.

Some people have urinated or defecated in doorways that offer a little bit of privacy. There is a lack of public washrooms for people who do not have access to private facilities, Lockhart said.

She is also concerned about aggressive behaviour by some people who enter the non-profit, volunteer-run thrift store.

Lockhart, Baire and Gali worry the situation will deter customers from visiting and hurt small, locally owned stores or venues.

“We’re a group of people who grew up and live in Winnipeg, and want to see our community feel healthy and safe,” Gali said of Public Domain.

“We’re a group of people who grew up and live in Winnipeg, and want to see our community feel healthy and safe.”

Lockhart and other business managers or owners contact police or community foot patrols when needed. Some have written to city council members, government ministers or MLAs to seek help.

Gillingham and Gilroy responded to Lockhart on Friday, a day after she emailed letters to them.

“As Winnipeg enters a civic election year, it is essential that the safety of small businesses, non-profits, and community organizations be elevated as a priority platform issue,” Lockhart wrote.

“This is not a partisan matter. It is a basic requirement for a functioning, safe, and compassionate city. What is happening at our doorstep is not isolated and it is very sad. It is part of a broader pattern that demands leadership, co-ordination, and action.”

Gillingham said he will continue the conversation with Lockhart, after speaking to her by phone.

“I share her concerns,” he said.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe pointed to a number of steps the provincial government has taken to support people who are struggling with a drug addiction or homelessness, including treatment spaces and housing.

He said the province has funded 36 additional police officers to increase the WPS presence in neighbourhoods.

“It’s really that holistic approach where we really need to tackle the root cases of crime,” Wiebe said. “We also know we have to do the work to support those that are experiencing these addictions and homelessness crises throughout our city.”

Lockhart told the Free Press the root causes need to be addressed, as well as the “here and now” to provide near-term help to residents and businesses.

Some of the businesses provide water, food, clothing, first-aid supplies or other items to people on the street.

Pushing problems to a different street or neighbourhood is not going to help, Lockhart said.

“We’ve got to work on this. I’m willing to be part of the solution,” she said. “We really care for these people. We want to help them.”

Baire and Gali echoed the sentiment.

Gali said he would welcome a more consistent presence of community foot patrols in the short term, and additional funding for outreach organizations that provide help or shelter to those in need.

— With files from Morgan Modjeski

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca