Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza met with residents of Oak Tree Towers last Friday after learning 24-hour security at the Manitoba Housing complex for seniors will end June 24. The facility, which houses 55+ residents, has relied on around-the-clock safety personnel for the past month to address crime and vandalism. Bereza pledged to challenge the decision in the Legislative Assembly today (Monday).
“What is the thinking behind this?”
Bereza says the move undermines progress made at the building.
“We’ve been able to get your homes back, and now they’re being taken away. I don’t understand why you fix something that’s not broken. Nobody told me this was going to be temporary. Did any of you? That’s what I thought.”
He criticized the province’s rationale, arguing security reduces strain on emergency services. “If the government says they can’t afford it, [ending security] cuts costs for community safety officers, RCMP and the fire department. I’ll present petitions and demand they extend security here in perpetuity.”
Residents voice fears over safety rollback
Teresa Mineault, a recent Oak Tree Towers resident, expressed cautious optimism about Bereza’s advocacy.
“He said he’s going to bring it to the Legislative Assembly on Monday. I’m hoping to watch that. Everyone was devastated when we heard security was leaving. We started calling Jeff Bereza and Manitoba Housing to find out why.”
Mineault notes cameras alone won’t address safety gaps. “They’re putting security cameras on certain floors, but a camera does not replace a cop or security person. People cover their heads or spray-paint cameras. It’s great until someone steals the dryer again.”
“We shouldn’t feel like prisoners in our rooms”
Betty Garnham, another resident, stresses how security enabled community engagement. “Without 24-hour security, we couldn’t come and go freely. I go to the Army Navy for karaoke or Oddfellows for bingo—it’s part of my life. Before security, people smashed windows, slept in the lobby and stole books. We were stuck in our rooms like prisoners.”
Garnham adds visitor policies need reform. “Younger people with drug issues shouldn’t be let in at 3 a.m. Visiting hours should end at 11 p.m. Home care nurses are scared to come here alone now—they send two workers. This is supposed to be our safe place.”
Bereza confirmed he’ll raise the issue in the legislature May 12, calling the security removal “a step backward.” Manitoba Housing has not clarified if cameras will fully replace personnel.
Bereza criticized the Manitoba government’s decision to end 24-hour security at

Oak Tree Towers, a seniors’ housing facility, during a recent community meeting. The Progressive Conservative MLA pledged to challenge the move in the Legislative Assembly, calling it a threat to resident safety.
"A camera isn’t going to stop a crime”
Bereza says the province is backtracking on progress. “The people at Oak Tree Towers have gone through a lot. They’ve gone through hell for the last few years. We found a very good alternative with this 24-hour security, and now the government wants to walk that back and not make it nice.”
He emphasizes the limitations of surveillance technology. “You know, a camera isn’t going to stop a crime. The only thing that can stop a criminal is security or some type of policing service. Manitobans should feel safe and be able to come out of their apartments, enjoy the common rooms, enjoy the outside, and not have to worry about the criminal activity that’s going on.”

“No matter your income, you should be safe”
The MLA framed the issue as a matter of universal rights. “The biggest thing I would say is no matter your income, no matter where you live, you should be safe in Manitoba. I think we deserve it.”
Bereza adds he will push for permanent security funding. “So again, I’ll be presenting petitions and demanding they extend this in perpetuity. This isn’t just about Oak Tree Towers—it’s about what kind of province we want to be.”
