Police, street groups looking to extend co-ordinated outreach-first approach to drug-use, trafficking crackdown

Winnipeg police and street outreach groups are discussing how to extend an initiative that tries to link people with addictions and homelessness services, while targeting open drug use and dealing.

The co-ordinated, outreach-first campaign, which launched Aug. 7 after an initial 10-day police enforcement blitz in some inner-city neighbourhoods, is set to end Oct. 31.

“I think we’re all very happy with the partnership and want to continue in some way. We’ll be having further discussions on what that looks like,” Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers said Tuesday.

The WPS reported more than 200 referrals and 55 arrests over a two-month period.

Police partnered with an Indigenous-led coalition of 14 organizations, including Ka Ni Kanichihk, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, End Homelessness Winnipeg, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, to conduct joint foot patrols in the downtown, West End and other areas, following complaints about open drug use and public disorder.

“I think we’re all very happy with the partnership and want to continue in some way.”

“I feel it’s something that’s very unique. We’ve looked across the country, and from what I’m hearing and what we’re hearing, I think we’re definitely going in the right direction, if not leading the way in some of our initiatives,” Bowers said.

Street outreach and drug enforcement work have been happening for many years, but officials said organizations often work in isolation.

Ka Ni Kanichihk executive director Jackie Anderson said the initiative “might need to look different” if it continues in the winter, when vulnerable people seek shelter from the cold.

Funding for a co-ordinator’s position is set to run out, she said, noting funds are needed for additional costs, including food, water, Narcan kits (the medication can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose) and feminine hygiene products.

“Whether we do a big old fundraiser or we need some funding to be able to continue to keep it going, I know the outreach teams will do (the work) anyway,” she said. “For a co-ordinated response, it would be nice to have that co-ordinator who can continue to lead.”

Some of the coalition’s members receive outreach funding from governments or other sources, while some do not, Anderson said.

Officers joined teams of outreach staff and volunteers on 14 days between Aug. 7 and Oct. 6, reporting 3,758 encounters, or “engagements.”

Ten people they encountered went into Main Street Project detox programs, and 48 were taken to shelters or other services, police said. More than 550 Narcan kits were handed out.

Main Street Project keeps four detox beds available when the teams go into the community, police Staff Sgt. Ryan Howanyk said.

Two people were taken to the provincial protective care centre on Disraeli Freeway, which has beds for people under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Police said 16 people were referred to the province’s new supervised drug consumption site on Henry Street. Dozens more were referred to other services.

Officers made 55 arrests, mostly for warrants or breaches of earlier release conditions. Three were for drug possession.

Howanyk said larger investigations led to arrests while police targeted drug dealers around Portage Place mall and in the West End and West Broadway areas.

He said police seized fentanyl and a sawed-off shotgun when they arrested a man who was believed to be openly selling drugs in the 600 block of Portage Avenue on Oct. 6.

After being released by a justice of the peace, the man was in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine when arrested five days later near Main Street and Logan Avenue, Howanyk said.

Although the initiative is set to conclude, he said police will continue to collaborate with community organizations, make referrals to services and target drug dealers beyond Oct. 31.

Elisabeth Mague, who owns Elisabeth Hair Salon at 621 Portage Ave., near Sherbrook Street, said open drug use is still happening, but she’s not seeing it as often on the sidewalk in front of her business and in the alley behind it.

Some business owners in the 600 block of Portage were among the most vocal advocates for enforcement and outreach after noticing an increase in open drug use and disorder.

“I’m hoping they (continue) so that we can be safe like we used to be. I’ve been here for (16) years, and it didn’t used to be this way.”

“I’m hoping they (continue) so that we can be safe like we used to be. I’ve been here for (16) years, and it didn’t used to be this way,” Mague said. “This is just out of control.”

She said her customers are scared when they see people using drugs on the sidewalk or sleeping in her salon’s doorway. Some customers asked her to move her salon to a different neighbourhood.

“If they don’t come, then I’m losing money,” Mague said. “Even I, myself, am scared when I come in in the morning.”

She said her salon was broken into earlier this year.

In August, some West End business owners said they believed drug sweeps pushed street disorder onto their doorsteps. Bowers said Tuesday police are looking at putting extra resources into the Sargent Avenue area in response to concerns.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s initial 10-day enforcement blitz in June drew a rebuke from some organizations because outreach groups were not included. The sweep involved 1,099 police and related calls for service, and 106 arrests.

The initiative relaunched in August with the involvement of a coalition that initially had 11 members.

— With files from Erik Pindera 

chris.kitching@winnipegfreepress.com