Portage la Prairie’s Director of Public Safety and Fire Chief Brad Bailey reports a drastic reduction in emergency calls and false alarms at Oak Tree Towers since the province implemented 24-hour security at the affordable housing complex. Community Safety Office Manager Caitlyn Saindon confirms similar declines in service requests.
Decline in emergency calls
Bailey notes the fire department and community safety officers (CSOs) responded to zero incidents after security began. “It’s very positive — the provincial government recognized the conditions and implemented security to get the building under control,” he says.
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Before the measure, frequent false alarms and unauthorized visitors strained resources. Bailey adds, “There were people who shouldn’t have been there — invited guests and others. The province has taken steps to remedy it.”
Community safety office confirms reduced reports
Saindon says her team received no calls related to Oak Tree Towers since security started, compared to multiple weekly reports previously. Officers now patrol the area less frequently but maintain daily external checks.
“We were receiving at least a couple [of calls] a week prior to security,” she notes. “People were inside the building who weren’t tenants, using facilities and causing concerns for residents.”
While unable to speak for RCMP call volumes, Saindon emphasizes the local office’s sharp drop in complaints. Security patrols continue to monitor the property as part of ongoing safety efforts.