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Community Outreach Patrol Program
Vision for a Better Downtown
The Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) believes in a vibrant and healthy downtown that is shared and enjoyed by all people, of all socio-economic levels, races, religions and sexes. Part of a successful downtown is a feeling of safety. The public and downtown businesses have expressed concern about the safety of themselves when confronted by aggressive panhandlers and intoxicated people, as well as concern for the safety of intoxicated people themselves. The Community Outreach Patrol Program represents the role the Downtown BIZ is stepping forward to take to address this issue. While it by no means will be “the” solution to the issue, we hope by working together with and supporting other groups, we can collectively move toward a long-term solution.
 Download Community Outreach Patrol Program Fact Sheet
Community Outreach Patrol Program
 While by no means acting as “THE” solution, the proposed Community Outreach Patrol Program would address some of these issues. The program was developed through a community consultative process and includes:
- 9 Outreach Patrol members
- Properly trained in community outreach and under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act (IPDA)
- Granted Special Constable Status to enforce IPDA
- Engage in prevention, intervention and enforcement strategies with homeless, mental health, at-risk of homelessness, or excessive intoxicant using persons
- Develop relationships with those at risk to help get people off the street and into a safer environment where healing can begin
- Create a vibrant and healthy downtown
Community Outreach Patrol Benefits
- Quick response to public intoxication incidents
- Assistance to emergency services, saving public dollars
- Public perceives downtown is safer
- Address businesses' concerns
- Assist individuals who are intoxicated and/or homeless or at-risk of homelessness
Proposed Initiative Funding:
Funding proposal for nine Outreach Patrols over a three-year pilot, shared by the Downtown BIZ and the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement.
Measurable Results:
- Reduction in the number of street people harming themselves and others
- Help the WPS & WFPS enforce IPDA in a timely manner:
- Increase in public safety
- Increase in public perception of a safe downtown
- Resource to the WPS
- Develop relationships with those at risk to get people off the street and into a safer and healthier environment where healing can begin
Why the Downtown BIZ?
- Good track record
- Able to obtain limited use of the special constable status
- Strong existing relationship with the Winnipeg Police Service
- Strong, daily understanding and working relationship with street people (through the Downtown Watch program)
- Existing infrastructure (lowers start-up costs)
- This program is effective, cost efficient and complementary to the Winnipeg Police Service
- Program offers work experience to young people to prepare them for future careers in law enforcement or community service & WFPS
- Business community wants to contribute towards a solution
Project Supporters & Partners
- Downtown Winnipeg businesses
- Winnipeg Police Service
- Winnipeg Fire and Paramedics (WFPS)
- Minister of Justice
- Winnipeg Partnership Agreement
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
- Social Planning Council
- Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
- Union Gospel Mission
- Siloam Mission
- Main Street Project
What the BIZ is doing now
Downtown Watch Ambassadors:
22 staff and over 100 volunteer Downtown Watch ambassadors walk downtown's streets offering directions, first aid, Safewalks and assistance wherever needed. Easily recognized in red and black, the Watch are appreciated by downtown workers, residents and visitors. Many former Watch ambassadors are now working with the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP, Corrections, and other law enforcement careers, as well as in customer service fields.
Change for the Better Program:
The Downtown BIZ has raised over $70,000 since 1992 through this program for social agencies that provide fundamental resources such as food, clothing and shelter to people in need. In 2003, the Help Key was launched as an alternative for people to give to panhandlers instead of spare change, which encourages panhandling and could go to feed an addiction.
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