Klein says proposal would free up police

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This article was published 19/08/2022 (1170 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mayoral candidate Kevin Klein says sheriffs should man hospitals to free up Winnipeg police resources.

“Everyone with a gun and a badge should be on the street and being utilized properly, that’s how we start to address crime,” he said at an announcement in St. James Friday.

The councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood councillor was flanked by two of the ward’s council candidates: police officer Tim Diack and retired information technology businessman Kelly Ryback.

Provincial sheriffs provide security in courthouses and courtrooms and escort people in custody to and from jails and courts.

Klein said police officers get tied up at city hospitals waiting for people who have been arrested to be treated.

His proposal would allow sheriffs to take responsibility for the people in custody awaiting medical care.

He suggested the plan would shorten the dispatch queue — the list of calls to police for service.

The candidate also said he would end the practice of the City of Winnipeg’s fleet department purchasing and leasing vehicles to the police service. Instead, he said the service should be allowed to buy vehicles directly. He said that would decrease costs.

Winnipeg is on track to break the homicide record this year, he said. Thirty-two people have been killed in the city so far this year — the record was 44 in 2019.

He also threw mud at other mayoral candidates, suggesting none of them has talked about crime until recently.

“I was watching the candidates that were coming forward and no one, no one is talking about crime, other than voters,” Klein claimed, although other candidates have put out policies on policing and crime.

Mayoral candidate Scott Gillingham, councillor for St. James, issued a policy plan in mid-July explicitly aimed at crime prevention. Former mayor and current candidate Glen Murray said in mid-July crime reduction would be one of his priorities, if elected.

Fourteen candidates are vying for mayor; the vote is set for Oct. 26.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca