Winnipeg police, groups rally to keep evacuees safe

Police and other officials have reached out to northern wildfire evacuees who are staying in Winnipeg out of concern for their safety and the fear they could be exploited.

Thousands of people, many from First Nations, fled to the city after fires encroached upon their communities. The province has issued a state of emergency.

The Winnipeg Police Service has sent officers to maintain “proactive, pre-emptive patrols… and presence” at the handful of evacuation shelters and several hotels, following discussions with service providers and community leaders, Supt. Bonnie Emerson said.

“The intent behind that is community safety, full stop,” she said Wednesday.

She said they hope to reassure evacuees police are ready to help and deter anyone who wants to exploit or prey upon the vulnerable.

“People are scared,” said Emerson. “We are really trying, and paying attention, to community safety, and making sure we are partnering with the people who are responsible for the congregate centres and co-ordinating it.”

She said they have advised community leaders about how to properly report safety concerns, including to the non-emergency police number, with the details officers need to conduct an investigation.

Officials at the RCMP, Winnipeg Police Service, Brandon Police Service and the Manitoba First Nation Police Service have produced a safety pamphlet that will be handed out at evacuation centres across the province. It includes information about how to stay safe as well as crime prevention, along with phone numbers for essential services.

“The intent behind that is community safety, full stop.”–Supt. Bonnie Emerson

On Wednesday, a woman who is staying at the soccer complex on Leila Avenue, said she hasn’t had a positive experience.

“It’s getting worse here,” said Domalya Ross, 57, who is from Cross Lake and hasn’t been reunited with her family yet. “People are drinking around here, and I don’t feel safe.”

Fellow Cross Lake evacuee, Kirk Harrison-Blacksmith, said he’s felt comfortable among the hundreds of people staying at the evacuation centre.

“I feel fine here. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the security guards, but it’s all right because my entire family is together,” the 35-year-old said.

RCMP said criminals may target and take advantage of people who are going through a traumatic situation.

“We are seeing people with concerns that are under a lot of stress and anxiety,” RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre said Wednesday.

“The idea is basically to provide as much information as we can to those that are affected through these evacuations… These are some signs to watch for.”

The pamphlet gives general safety advice, tips to identify scammers or human traffickers and information about how to report a missing person. It will be handed out in evacuation centres in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Dauphin and Thompson, officials said.

The chair of Giganawenimaanaanig, the Manitoba committee implementing calls for justice from the national Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry, said the ultimate fear is people will “lose their lives.”

“That might be the most extreme thought, but we’re in a situation where that is something that has occurred (in past evacuations),” said Sandra Delaronde.

“Our experience working with families has shown us that’s a real possibility.”

“People don’t know the city, they are in precarious accommodation.”–Sandra Delaronde

She said there must be a police presence to deter those who may try to target the vulnerable.

“People don’t know the city, they are in precarious accommodation,” said Delaronde. “People and communities have gone out of their way to provide shelter and support, but at the same time, if you can move families and vulnerable people into more secure accommodation, that’s better than an arena,” Delaronde said.

Cory Wiles, president of the Winnipeg Police Association, said managers have asked officers to work overtime as patrols are increased.

“There’s lots of overtime they’re offering shifts for,” said Wiles. “(It’s) 100 per cent in relation to the fires and the extra people here — calls for service go up.”

The police service executive is planning to invoke a contract rule on two days this month to ensure extra officers are on the street.

On June 6 and 11, the service plans to dictate that 70 per cent of the officers working on overlapping shifts be out in cruisers. Normally, officers on the first shift, on days where two shifts overlap, will often conduct administrative work or training, Wiles said.

Grassroots groups are stepping up to bolster safety and security.

The Bear Clan Patrol and Downtown Community Safety Partnership are collaborating to increase outreach in the core area, executive director Kevin Walker said.

“We’re going to be enhanced by resources from DCSP so we’re able to get some of the resources relatives need, whether it be simple medical attention, directions, a ride, safety liaison work and things like that,” Walker said.

They will patrol downtown several days a week, in the evenings and on weekends, as of Thursday. Walker said his organization is planning recreational programs for the youngsters who are in a strange setting and need to be kept active.

Bear Clan is working with another group, Red Response Team, to monitor areas around congregate shelters and hotels where evacuees are staying.

The group focuses on proactive intervention, de-escalation and social supports. Its members include people who have experience in the criminal justice, child welfare and health care systems.

“When there are mass amounts of people displaced — specifically women and girls — there’s potential for very serious things to happen here. So we are looking out to safeguard people from becoming victims of exploitation,” said Jess, who asked that her surname be withheld.

She helped start the team of about 10 volunteers last year.

“We’ve been visiting each site, and there’s a real need in the evenings and overnight. That’s when things start to happen.”

She said there is a need to have more recreational options available at shelters.

The province established a phone line on Wednesday to allow outreach workers to arrange taxi rides for evacuees.

People needing to arrange a ride can call 204-945-4663 and provide the current address of the evacuee, and the address of the shelter where they are staying.

— with files from Massimo De Luca-Taronno

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca