Transit officers saving lives, reassuring public

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This article was published 18/03/2024 (565 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Community safety officers are being credited with saving at least two lives and helping bus riders feel safer a month after they began patrolling Winnipeg Transit buses and shelters.

The team’s leader told reporters Monday that the officers — tasked with defusing dangerous situations, providing first aid and helping connect vulnerable people with resources — have exceeded initial expectations since the program began Feb. 20.

“It’s rolled out even better than I envisioned. I’m really feeling we’re making an impact out there on the street,” Bob Chrismas said.

“One (outcome) that I was particularly thrilled with is our officers… came across a person face down in the snow over by Portage Place, (with) no life signs. They administered CPR and naloxone, brought that person back to life.”

Chrismas said there was another, similar incident, along with one in which community safety officers provided first aid to someone having a seizure.

He said officers also regularly transport people to shelters and other resources, using the team’s three vehicles. Overall, he estimated they respond to about 15 to 20 incidents per day.

An increase in violence against both Winnipeg Transit drivers and riders sparked calls to increase security for years.

“I’m biased, of course, but in the first few weeks, I feel that we’ve already proven (the) concept,” Chrismas said. “So, I absolutely could use another 100 officers tomorrow, if they were given to us.”

Christine Welsh, a team supervisor, said officers have reported positive feedback from the public.

“We’ve had… a high number of (bus drivers) that are fist-bumping and citizens that are engaging our safety officers and letting them know they very much appreciate the presence…. People are actually approaching them and telling them that they feel safer,” said Welsh.

The team was directed to begin its work with a focus on transit, especially on routes connected to downtown.

Supervisor Sean Berman said he routinely found folks sleeping in transit shelters while working his past job as a Winnipeg Transit inspector. For the first time in years, no one was found doing so early Monday morning, he said, crediting the safety team’s outreach.

“I went out and hit the streets this morning at about 6:30… and we could not find one single person in a bus shelter in the entire downtown. It was amazing, actually,” said Berman.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said he’s heard positive feedback about the program, though more data is needed to determine if it should be expanded.

“When we hear that the community safety officers are raising people’s level of confidence and sense of security, and when they’re actually involved in incidents that end in a positive outcome, where no one’s hurt, those are the kind of stories that show this program is working,” said Gillingham.

The province has pledged $5 million to help fund the team, which the city has promised to continue through 2027. It is expected to cost $2.5 million this year.

The union that represents Winnipeg Transit drivers said the team was welcomed by the public but drivers have shared a few early concerns.

In a press release, Amalgamated Transit Union local 1505 officials stressed they are optimistic about the safety team and its responses so far. However, the union said drivers received little information on how to “engage” the new safety team.

The local’s president, Chris Scott, said drivers would also like the team to ride buses more often.

“Our members really want more of a visible presence on Winnipeg Transit buses…. This would go a long way in easing some of the safety concerns of our transit operators,” said Scott, in the release.

He not available for further comment Monday.

The ATU reported 43 security incidents so far in 2024, including physical assaults, verbal assaults, thefts, property damage and other disturbances. Winnipeg Transit counted 19 assaults, based on Criminal Code violations.

Transit counted 117 assaults against bus drivers throughout 2023, while the union reported 257 security incidents.

In a written statement, Winnipeg Transit said bus operators are trained to respond to safety incidents by contacting the Transit Control Centre.

“The introduction of the community safety team hasn’t changed those procedures,” spokesman Adam Campbell said in an email.

Some Transit riders told the Free Press they support the safety team concept, including Parminder Singh, who said he expects it will keep buses safer.

Don Howard said he hasn’t seen the officers in action but feels there is a need for their numbers to expand, noting he’s experienced security incidents while riding buses through Elmwood.

“Whatever they can do to speed up the process to expand it (would be good),” said Howard.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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Joyanne Pursaga
Reporter

Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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