Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government's new public safety strategy is about crime prevention, holding people accountable, and ensuring police have the necessary resources.
Earlier this month, the Manitoba government unveiled the new Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy, which Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says will create a roadmap for a safer Manitoba across all regions
Included is a two per cent increase in funding for municipal law enforcement, providing stable and consistent funding for more boots on the ground.
"If you look at Niverville, they got a $300,000 increase," pointed Kinew. "Morden, it's a half-a-million dollar increase for policing this year. Portage la Prairie, also a half-a-million-dollar increase. Winkler, $600,000; Steinbach, $800,000.
We know that as society needs more for police and police are being asked to do such a difficult job, even on the best days, we want to make sure they have the support and the resources."
In what he says is a comprehensive approach, the Premier added this new strategy also focuses on crime prevention and the root causes of it.
"That's investments in education and recreation," he explained. "Let's just try and keep a young person on the positive path, rather than have them go off into more negative territory."
Additional initiatives outlined in the strategy, aimed at keeping Manitobans safe, include:
-Making the Retail Crime Initiative permanent by funding 12 new Winnipeg Police Service officers committed to community policing;
-Establishing a new Centre for Justice in Dauphin that includes culturally appropriate supports, educational resources and vocational training;
-Strengthening Manitoba’s impaired driving legislation with input from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD);
-Expanding the electronic monitoring program outside of Winnipeg and enhancing protection order enforcement in rural areas;
-Increasing funding and training opportunities for First Nations police officers and First Nation safety officer programs;
-Hiring 100 new mental health workers to work alongside first responders to strengthen mental health supports for both adults and youth, starting with 25 workers by the end of March; and
-Holding a youth summit to bring young leaders together to hear their voices, empower them and discuss solutions.
The Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy was crafted after extensive consultations with stakeholders including a public safety summit which had representatives from 210 community groups, social service agencies, health-care professionals, law enforcement agencies, Indigenous organizations, legal professionals, business leaders and government officials.
The Manitoba government also held regional consultation sessions and engaged with nine First Nations governments and organizations including the Manitoba Métis Federation, Inuit organizations and other community partners.