‘Keep your car bare’

Peter Dul is frustrated.

The 57-year-old has had the windows of his vehicle smashed seven times in the past two years when it was parked in a stall outside his Norwood neighbourhood apartment.

“I keep getting either my driver’s window or passenger window smashed out and they just rummage through the glove box,” said Dul, the owner of Duly Records on Portage Avenue.

“They keep coming back and doing it over and over again.”

He said nothing significant has been stolen — just a pair of gloves — because he doesn’t keep valuables in the vehicle, but the frequent break-ins have been irritating. He’s had to file claims with Manitoba Public Insurance and lose the use of his vehicle while it’s repaired.

Two incidents have occurred in recent weeks, including the latest just a few days ago. Dul said his vehicle is still in the shop.

In the past, he’s had to cancel appointments and other engagements, which has cost him money.

“At this point, now, I almost see it as comical,” said Dul. “This last break-in, I almost didn’t react. At this point, it’s like looking at a sink full of dirty dishes and you don’t want to do your dishes. I don’t even want to clean the glass off the seat, because I’m so immune to it now.”

He said he used to feel violated and angry, but he’s now resigned to the crimes as just being part of the neighbourhood.

“I don’t know what the solution is,” said Dul. “I love my neighbourhood.”

He said he wishes the people who smash windows get the help they need.

“I don’t have any anger — that phase has passed, quite some time ago,” said Dul.

Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman Const. Dani McKinnon said the service does not track smashed windows specifically and noted some incidents may be vandalism rather than theft or attempted theft.

Police statistics do indicate thefts under $5,000 from motor vehicles have increased very slightly citywide in the past 12 months, compared to a year earlier; they have increased significantly in parts of downtown and Point Douglas. It’s down slightly in the Norwood area.

Citywide, the reported number of incidents was 7,151 from October 2024 to September 2025, versus 7,087 incidents during the same time period a year earlier.

In North Point Douglas, the number of reported thefts from vehicles increased to 104 from 40 over the same period, while in South Point Douglas, the figure rose to 74 from 33.

In some of the incidents, the thief could have smashed a window, but McKinnon said the police service can’t be specific.

McKinnon warned Winnipeggers to make their vehicles appear less enticing to would-be thieves.

“It’s a crime of opportunity. A lot of times, it’s under the cloak of darkness, you’re not in a protected or secured or surveilled parking garage… Don’t leave electronics, cords, phones available, any change, even a little bit of pocket change… sporting equipment, shopping bags, gifts,” said McKinnon.

“Honestly, keep your car bare.”

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca