Steinbach has hired a local security company for a five-month pilot project aimed at deterring crime and supplementing RCMP patrols during overnight hours.
As of July 2, Steinbach Security Services has been patrolling the city nightly between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with the program running through the end of November. The initiative was launched in response to ongoing RCMP staffing shortages and will be funded using unspent dollars from the city’s existing policing budget.
Council responds to ongoing concerns
“This is the result of direction council gave administration back in June,” said Corporate Services Manager Adam Thiessen at Tuesday’s council meeting. “Steinbach Security Services provided the best overall value in terms of pricing and scope of service.”
Security staff are driving marked vehicles and have coordinated response protocols with the local RCMP detachment. Patrols are prioritizing residential neighbourhoods and construction sites—areas where council has received the most public feedback about vandalism and theft.
Thiessen said the pilot will be evaluated in the fall using both weekly security reports and available RCMP crime stats, particularly related to petty theft and vandalism.
“We haven’t received any dramatic stories yet,” said Thiessen, “but the presence is there, and they’re actively reporting what they see.”
RCMP staffing gap drives security initiative
The city currently budgets for 18 RCMP members, but the actual number of officers has consistently fallen short. According to Deputy Mayor Michael Zwaagstra, the city has received only 14 to 15 officers in recent years despite increased demand from a growing population.
Zwaagstra reiterated that hiring additional RCMP officers is not a reliable solution right now.
“The number of officers we’re getting is well below what we’ve budgeted for,” he said. “This is a good move. Steinbach Security Services already works in our area and has an established relationship with the RCMP.”
This program gives council the flexibility to test its effectiveness before making long-term decisions during the 2026 budget planning process.
Security presence aims to deter property crime
Mayor Earl Funk expressed optimism about the potential impact of the pilot, noting that similar programs have worked well in other communities.
“Just having a presence can be a deterrent,” he said. “This is a great way to use the funds we’ve saved from unfilled RCMP positions and add another set of eyes and ears on the street.”
Funk added that Steinbach’s relationship with local RCMP leadership remains strong and that the pilot should be seen as a complement—not a replacement—for police services.
Long-term decisions ahead
In June, Zwaagstra acknowledged that Steinbach will eventually have to consider long-term policing options. The current RCMP contract expires in 2032, and discussions will need to take place in the coming years about whether to continue with the RCMP or pursue a municipal force.
For now, council members agree that the pilot project is a practical and proactive step.
“We want to do what’s best for our community,” said Funk. “Our goal is to keep Steinbach safe and make the most of the resources we have.”