Downtown safety, Perception vs. Reality

Like most major cities across Canada, downtown Winnipeg deals with a perception problem when it comes to downtown safety. The perception is, people are sometimes afraid to come downtown because they must face its poverty. They might be asked for change by a panhandler something that can make people uncomfortable. These situations can lead to a perceived threat or danger for those visiting downtown.

But the reality is downtown's isn't a safety issue, it's a social one that is related poverty, addiction, mental health etc. We need to combat poverty and quality-of-life issues through a collaborative approach. If you give money to a panhandler, there is a 70 per cent chance that money will go to furthering addictions. Walking by someone in need on the street is a missed opportunity to help "give a hand up". We need your assistance to help provide a better quality-of-life to those in need.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ continues to promote the fact that crime rates are low in our downtown (only 4-6 per cent of crimes that happen in the city, happen downtown). The BIZ also addresses the perception problem by developing or supporting programs to help address social issues. In 2006 the BIZ, in partnership with the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement, launched a 10-person Outreach Patrol program. A few of the main objectives of this program were to improve perception, expedite the transfer of intoxicated persons to a safer environment and to help link at-risk people to appropriate resources.

The BIZ also realizes the importance of linking those at-risk to key resources and employment programs. In partnership with Siloam Mission, the BIZ supports the Mission Off The Streets Team (MOST), which is an entry-level employment program that takes into consideration the dysfunctional work history of those who have faced poverty, addiction and homelessness and allows them to transition back into the workplace at their own rate or skill level. This program has already developed a proven track record and has even had a number of the participants graduate on to full-time employment with a number of organizations.

We also can't overlook the need to house the homeless and the BIZ is currently working with the Province of Manitoba on this. The research demonstration project on mental health and homelessness will help link up to 300 people to housing. Our Outreach team will help identify potential candidates through their work at street level.

If we want to improve the image of our downtown then it's incumbent on the community, not the police, to step up and play a major role in addressing the social issues. There's no doubt the BIZ is actively involved but we are looking to the rest of the community who want to take action and help.

What we are currently doing to improve safety conditions downtown:

The BIZ is home to over 150 volunteer Downtown Watch Ambassadors, who act as extra eyes and ears for our police. The SafeWalk program introduced in 2004, has provided over 4,503 SafeWalks to downtown patrons with over 1,000 completed in 2009 10 Outreach Patrol workers, who have special constable status, deal with intoxicated individuals. Since the program's inception in 2007, this team has assisted over 8,000 intoxicated individuals, saving lives and reducing the load on our fire and paramedic service. In December, 2008 the BIZ launched the new Downtown Security Network (DSN), which currently has over 170 members. The DSN helps improve networking and communication between members, with the goal of reducing crime and creating a safer downtown.

The DSN hosts bi-monthly town hall meetings for its members to network with one another and ask questions to Winnipeg Police representatives directly The BIZ also offers safety presentations to businesses and residence in the downtown offering tips on how we can all better protect ourselves

You can help in the following ways: Don't give to panhandlers. Instead, give to a social agency such as the Change for the Better Program. Report safety issues when you see them happen by contacting the Downtown Watch at 958-SAFE (7233) or #SAFE, a free call from any MTS cell phone or payphone. The Downtown Watch will notify the WPS when necessary.

By Rick Joyal & Michelle Golebiowski