Downtown safety patrols stepped up for summer

The Downtown Community Safety Partnership is expanding its outreach patrols this summer to better protect and police residents and visitors, including thousands of wildfire evacuees who’ve sought refuge in Winnipeg.

Starting Tuesday, there will be more crisis and outreach workers and service navigators working on streets and in parks in the core.

The DCSP summer action plan will run for 16 weeks, up from a 12-week pilot in 2024.

Executive director Greg Burnett said 84 per cent of the people that his crews helped last year received what they needed “right away.”

“Together, we reduced calls to 911 by 220,” said Burnett, who oversees the collective founded in 2020 to provide non-emergency response, outreach and intervention services.

“But this has to be more than statistics and data. It’s about helping people where they’re at and meeting needs, proactively.”

The Manitoba government has earmarked $500,000 for the initiative that is focused on prevention, detection and intervention of all kinds.

The office of Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham is contributing an additional $50,000. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has also pitched in with a $25,000 commitment.

Burnett said the funding will support DCSP, which has a team of about 75 people, and be shared with Bear Clan Patrol, OPK (Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin) and others who do similar work in the community.

He, along with representatives from all three financial backers, made the announcement at The Forks on Friday, one week after a random assault took place on the grounds.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on June 6, an attacker — who remained at large Friday — beat a stranger until he was unconscious and stole an item from the 30-year-old victim before fleeing.

The unprovoked assault took place outside, between the main market building and the Johnston Terminal, the Winnipeg Police Service said earlier this week.

WPS has put a call out for tips to locate the male suspect who is described as Indigenous and between 25 to 35 years old, with a medium to heavy build and tattoos on both arms.

Speaking to reporters about the summer safety plan, the mayor said he had just referred a case to outreach staff that involved an individual he believed could benefit from their assistance.

Gillingham said he saw a man on a downtown sidewalk who appeared to be in distress, although he was conscious and talking, upon arriving to work Friday.

The situation did not warrant police or paramedic intervention, he said, noting on-site security advised him they would call DCSP on his behalf.

“It’s these kind of partnerships, playing out in real time, that make sure individuals within our city, who are struggling, are getting the help that they need,” Gillingham told a news conference.

Emergency responders, community-serving organizations and front-line patrols are carrying out the multi-pronged plan that will be in place from June to October.

The partners are focused on three areas: criminal detection and prevention; community safety and engagement; and supports for people with mental health and addiction challenges.

“Our mission is clear — to create a welcoming and safe and vibrant downtown where everyone feels supported. Summer is short in Manitoba and we all want to make the most of it,” Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Friday.

The 2025 plan builds off the success of the rollout that took place last summer, Wiebe said.

A dozen new WPS constables have started working in the downtown area since graduating last week.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca