Working smarter, together for a safe community

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/08/2018 (2857 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Crime rates are too high and I’m committed to working towards a safer Winnipeg for all.

Whether through approving a $1.4-million land grant to the Scott Oake Treatment Centre or providing record funding to the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS), supporting affordable housing programs or working with the Winnipeg Police Board, community groups and residents, safety has always been a significant focus for me.

At the local level, the most recent crime statistics for River Heights show that our neighbourhood has seen a decrease of 14 per cent in violent crimes from 2016 to 2017 while property crime has increased by one per cent.

I have heard — directly from you — that personal and property safety is one of the main concerns in River Heights-Fort Garry as it is mine.

In the last four years, with your help and support, we have successfully:

• Created the Citizens on Patrol Program, River Heights Patrol, a group of volunteers to patrol the neighbourhood to identify security risks and report to the WPS to investigate;
• Successfully lobbied Manitoba Public Insurance to waive deductibles of $100 or $200 for victims of vandalism, like smashed car windows;
• Secured WPS resources dedicated to the neighbourhood to ensure more patrolling and a stronger presence;
• Increased the opportunities for residents to meet with police through open houses, community round tables, action days, and safety forums to discuss their concerns and enhance awareness about property and personal safety;
• Created and funded a Safety Working Group to facilitate discussion and sharing community ideas on solutions to common area concerns;
• Promoted the importance of reporting crimes, of all kinds, to the police to ensure they can catch perpetrators and dedicate critical resources to our neighbourhoods. The Smashed Windows Club has been instrumental in this effort and I have been proud to promote their great work and outreach over the years;
• Promoted a community pilot project with the Crescentwood Facebook Group for free motion detector lights and installation;
• Worked with community members to add lighting at parks and entry points into the area to discourage unwanted activity;
• Offered free bike registration to improve the return of stolen property; and
• Directed community grants and funding to support the actions of our community members working on safety projects.

I’m committed to continuing to work with you on all of the programs and strategies I’ve mentioned, as well as new ones to come, to keep improving the safety of our neighbourhood and City.

If you have an idea for a new safety initiative or would like to get involved in an existing one, please contact me at jorlikow@winnipeg.ca or 204-986-5236.