Crime and poverty — two parts of a problem

Opinion

Manitoba’s persistent struggle with deep poverty is not just a moral concern — it is now a pressing economic issue that is hitting the province’s retail sector hard.

It is so severe that the business community is now working directly with the Winnipeg Police Service to find solutions to the problem, while retail outlets are increasingly hiring security guards to protect their inventories.

Something has to give. And it’s not just more policing.

Statistics Canada data released earlier this year revealed that in 2022, Manitoba had the highest rate of “deep income poverty” in Canada.

Deep income poverty refers to individuals whose income falls below 75 per cent of the poverty rate, rendering them unable to afford basic necessities. In Manitoba, this translates to 6.9 per cent of residents who are enduring severe financial hardship.

This economic disparity has far-reaching implications, not only for those directly affected but also for the broader community. It’s an alarming statistic that underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of retail theft in the province.

Police in Winnipeg have responded to the problem, including launching a retail theft initiative last year with the provincial government. The initiative, which included targeted enforcement, visible presence and engagement with business organizations, aimed to deter crime and apprehend offenders. It led to 969 arrests, 896 engagements with business owners and $120,000 in recovered property.

However, as some business owners have pointed out, the issue persists, suggesting that increased policing alone is insufficient to tackle the underlying problem. That’s because it addresses the symptoms rather than the root causes of the problem.

A meeting last week between Winnipeg’s new police Chief Gene Bowers and the business community underscored the urgency of the situation. He told business owners that he hears their concerns “loud and clear” and that police plan to take further steps to respond to the problem. He was particularly concerned that some businesses have stopped reporting crimes because they don’t believe anything will come of it.

“Businesses should not question if the police will respond,” he said. “You should expect we will be there and will be a presence in your communities.”

That is all well and good and police have a duty to find solutions to the growing retail theft problem. Businesses also have a right to protect their stores, including by hiring security guards to discourage shoplifting.

The province reports that there has been a spike in the number of licensed security guards in Manitoba over the past year.

However, focusing solely on increased policing and security measures overlooks the underlying issue: poverty. To effectively combat retail theft, Manitoba must invest in long-term solutions that address the root causes of poverty. This includes enhancing social support systems, improving access to education and employment opportunities and providing mental health and addiction services.

Manitoba’s deep poverty crisis is not just a statistic — it is a lived reality for many. It means there is a growing disparity between those who earn enough money to pay for basic necessities and those who do not. It is a statistic that highlights a failure in how society responds to the socio-economic realities that prevent some people from fully participating in the economy.

If we are to curb retail theft and build a safer, more prosperous community, we must confront the systemic issues of poverty head-on, and the sooner, the better. Only then can we hope to see lasting change.

It is not an issue that will get better on its own — it will only get worse.