Assault, harassment incidents skyrocket at Millennium Library: report

A new report shows incidents at Millennium Library are on the rise this year. CTV’s Joseph Bernacki takes a closer look at the data.

Incidents at Millennium Library were up nearly 70 per cent in the first months of 2025, with massive spikes reported in assaults, harassment and vandalism.

The data comes in an administrative report before the city’s standing policy committee on community services, outlining attendance and incidents across all Winnipeg Public Library branches.

According to the report, there were 309 incidents logged at the Millennium Library between January and March 2025, compared to 183 during the same time period in 2024.

That represents a 68 per cent jump.

“Safety and security incidents continue to be a concern in library branches throughout the city,” the report said.

“The findings indicate a continuation of incidents and de-escalations with library services.”

Breaking down the incidents by type, there were 11 assaults reported in the first quarter of 2025—up 57 per cent from 2024.

Similarly, harassment was up 71 per cent from last year, with 12 incidents reported.

Intoxication incidents also rose 433 per cent, from six in the first quarter of 2024 to 32 this year.

Incidents also trended upwards across all Winnipeg Public Library branches, though not as drastically.

Overall, branch-wide incidents were up 38 per cent from 2024, with assault, harassment, inappropriate behaviour, and hazardous conditions ballooning by at least 100 per cent in each category compared to last year.

The spikes come amid a fall in attendance at Millennium Library, which was down seven per cent, while visitors across all branches rose marginally by under one per cent.

The city service began submitting these quarterly library attendance and incident reports in response to a 2022 homicide at the Millennium Library.

The incident prompted updated safety measures across all branches, including additional security guards, community safety hosts, and a resources hub. The reports are meant to monitor the additional safety measures and their impact.

The latest report will be considered at a June 13 committee meeting. It can be read in full on the city’s website.