Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox is applauding the Manitoba government’s recent announcement to expand its electronic monitoring program, which will add up to 100 new ankle monitors to track offenders released on bail across the province.
“We are very glad to see the province expanding the ankle monitoring program. It’s definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to keeping our communities safe and especially holding those repeat offenders accountable here in Portage,” Knox says.
The expansion comes with an additional investment of $1.2 million this year, bringing the total funding for the program to $2.7 million in 2025. This will double the number of GPS-enabled ankle monitors available from 100 to 200, allowing law enforcement to better supervise offenders and enforce court-imposed conditions.
The program, reinstated in August 2024 after being cut by a previous government, currently monitors 321 participants across Manitoba, with all existing devices fully in use. These electronic devices allow real-time tracking and send alerts if an offender enters a prohibited area, helping police respond swiftly to violations.
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Knox emphasizes that the expansion aligns with local efforts to improve safety, including the City of Portage’s Community Safety Officer program.
“We’ve been working hard at local solutions like our Community Safety Officer program and we keep looking at how we can expand that. It’s definitely encouraging to see the province stepping up with added tools that support that work. So together we’ll keep pushing for more action that helps protect our residents,” she adds.
The program has expanded beyond Winnipeg to include communities like Brandon, Souris, Steinbach, Dauphin, Selkirk, Winkler, and Portage la Prairie. It also provides alert systems for victims of intimate partner violence, enhancing protection for vulnerable Manitobans.
Looking ahead, the province plans to introduce curfew monitoring software using secure video conferencing and biometric identification for offenders who don’t require traditional ankle bracelets. This innovation is expected to reduce the workload for police officers conducting in-person curfew checks, freeing them to focus on emergency responses.
Knox has long advocated for comprehensive bail reform and stresses the importance of accountability, especially for repeat offenders.
“There is also the element of people who are repeat, prolific offenders who need to be held accountable for their actions,” she remarks.
With the expanded ankle monitoring program and continued local efforts, Portage la Prairie is positioned to enhance offender supervision, reduce repeat crime, and improve residents’ confidence in public safety.
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