Retail crime crackdown extended throughout summer Winnipeg police say 205 arrests made in four weeks By: Chris Kitching Posted: 12:47 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 10, 2024 Last Modified: 5:42 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 10, 2024 Updates

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A Winnipeg police campaign to curb spikes in retail and violent crime in some parts of the city will continue throughout the summer amid calls for the program to be expanded.

The Manitoba government announced Wednesday it will spend $1 million to extend the program, which focuses on three hot spots — the Exchange District, Osborne Village and the West End — throughout August.

“What has become abundantly clear is we need to continue these efforts throughout the summer months,” Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said at a news conference. “Theft and violence will not be tolerated.”

The program uses officers who work overtime shifts, which is paid for by the province. Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth recently told the police board a personnel shortage means the approach, which diverts a lot of resources from regular duties, is not sustainable over the long term.

Supt. Cam Mackid said the program led to nearly 205 arrests — mostly for warrants or shoplifting — between June 8 and July 5. A small number is likely repeat offenders, he said.

About 30 tickets were issued for provincial offences, such as trespassing or liquor act violations. Almost $9,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered.

Compared with the same four-week period in 2022, property crime dropped by 38 per cent in the West End, 23 per cent in Osborne Village and 16 per cent in the Exchange, said Mackid.

“We’ve been very encouraged with the results of this initiative, both in terms of the data collected and the feedback our members have been receiving in the community,” he added.

Mackid said the program has three parts. Community support officers head out on foot patrols to boost visibility and visit stores, the property crime unit conducts covert operations and targets prolific thieves, and the community relations unit works with retailers on crime-prevention measures.

The use of foot patrols has allowed police to respond quicker to reports of shoplifting, and encouraged retailers to report incidents, he said.

Mackid said the police service has been able to fill all overtime shifts. Officers who work extra shifts have managed their time well, he said. Summer is a peak time for calls for service.

Conversations continue about whether and how the program could be extended beyond August.

Wiebe wouldn’t say whether the province will provide more short-term or sustained funding. He said a “whole of government” approach, including education, housing and drug addiction services, is needed to address the root causes of crime.

Groups such as the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg have said the situation points to the need for more supports for people whose basic needs are not being met.

Some thefts are driven by addiction, food insecurity, poverty or organized crime. Some recent incidents escalated to stabbings, physical assaults or threats against retail staff.

Shoplifting costs Manitoba retailers about $200 million annually, the Retail Council of Canada has estimated. The organization has called for a retail crime unit.

Mayor Scott Gillingham recalled an incident in which his son was the victim of an armed robbery at his part-time job years ago.

“I’m tired of hearing that this is a victimless crime. Retail theft is not a victimless crime,” he said.

The police service initially launched a crackdown at malls and downtown in December, following a surge in shoplifting and violence. At the time, police said incidents of theft had shifted to retail stores after controlled entrances were installed at Liquor Marts in 2019, to curb escalating crime.

In 2023, there were 6,040 reports of shoplifting of items priced under $5,000, a 45 per cent jump compared with 2022.

In late May, the NDP government announced $378,000 in temporary overtime funding for four police units as part of the current anti-theft program.

The heads of business improvement zones in the Exchange, Osborne Village and West End said the program has helped to prevent crime, make people feel safer and build relationships with police.

“Were really happy to see this program continue and we’d like to see it continue even further,” said Exchange District BIZ executive director David Pensato.

Brian Scharfstein, who owns Canadian Footwear in the Exchange, said foot patrols have been welcomed by businesses.

“The objective now is to make sure that this process is sustainable,” the former police board member said. “We need to keep this going.”

After a foot patrol visited Sho Coffee & Bar, owner Hryhorii Alieksanov said he would welcome an extension of the program or an increased presence at night.

“All the time something happens in this area in the night,” he said.

Spikes in retail theft or violence are not limited to the three neighbourhoods that are the current focus. In St. Vital, Dakota Family Foods has five to 10 shoplifting incidents per day, said owner Scott Clement.

Thefts are not the reason the grocery store is closing later this year, but part of the reason, he said.

“Theft in the store has risen, and it makes the bottom line very challenging,” said Clement.

He hasn’t noticed a difference at his store since police stepped up enforcement.

“We haven’t had more of a presence at this location,” said Clement. “Shoplifting continues to be an issue.”

Progressive Conservative justice critic Wayne Balcaen, a former Brandon police chief, challenged the government to expand the program to rural Manitoba.

“As far as this entire announcement, I kind of look at it as just a one-day headline and not really a long-term plan,” said Balcaen, who noted a majority of the NDP’s seats are in Winnipeg. “Are they forgetting about the rest of Manitoba?”

He questioned whether any suspects will face serious consequences, if convicted.

“Are they out stealing somewhere else right now?” he said.

Earlier this week, the province announced $1.5 million for a sobering centre, increased foot patrols by the Downtown Community Safety Partnership and more mental health training as part of a summer safety plan for downtown.

— With files from Gabrielle Piché

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Chris Kitching
Reporter

Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris.

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