Keeping ’em separated

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This article was published 13/04/2020 (2214 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

City ambassadors set to ensure people are maintaining physical distancing have completed their first weekend on the job.

The Community Service Ambassador initiative was first announced Thursday by the city and focuses on parks and spaces where people typically gather. City employees – including library and recreational service workers – monitor the areas and remind people of social-distancing regulations when they encounter people gathering in groups. They will also monitor closed city facilities.

CSAs are unable to enforce city closures, but bylaw enforcement officers are now able to hand out warnings and appearance notices that may result in fines of up to $1,000 or as much as six months’ prison time.

The chilly weather kept most people away from Assiniboine Park Monday afternoon, but at least two pairs of CSAs were out monitoring the park’s paths, identifiable by their yellow vests.

Those who did come out to the park said they were aware of the CSAs – one walker, Rick Leclair, said he had seen them since Saturday, as he comes out to walk regularly, a routine he was not planning to break regardless of COVID-19 concerns.

“We keep routine and that kind of thing, we try to structure everything on a routine basis,” he said.

“The days go by quicker, I suppose.”

He said besides “groups of five or six” he had seen congregating once in a while, people were mostly keeping their distance both before and after the introduction of CSAs.

Leclair said he hoped the arrival of the ambassadors would get more people to come outside knowing there were people keeping an eye on social-distancing standards.

“I think it’s a good idea – it keeps a structure, some people probably feel a little more confident now that that’s happening,” he said.

Shelley Selman, who was out walking her dog, shared similar feelings. She walks every day “just to get a break in the day” and said people are taking the distancing rules seriously.

“I come almost every day, and I would say 95 per cent of the people that (I see) are doing fairly well,” she said.

“There’s the odd one that will stay in the middle of the sidewalk but overall I can kind of step off now,” she said.

Selman added she hopes the CSA program will continue into the summer, when the parks will inevitably become busier.

“I think it’s a good idea, because especially when the weather gets warmer, it’s going to be horrible, and we know that, and the government knows that, that’s why they’re doing this,” she said.

A spokesperson for the city said in an email that CSAs have what they need to stay safe while interacting with the public. Data are still being gathered on the ambassadors’ first weekend on the job.

“The CSAs follow safe work procedures, are equipped with supplies including hand sanitizers, and have been directed to physically distance when engaging with residents,” the email said.

“Unfortunately, the civic offices are closed today (Monday) — we’ll release more information/stats later this week once everything’s been compiled.”


Additional restrictions and regulations were placed on city-owned parks Thursday. While they plan to stay open for the foreseeable future, activities taking place in areas where people typically gather, including outdoor barbecue areas and skateboard parks, have been prohibited.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_