Heavier police presence coming to Winnipeg buses

A heavier police presence is coming to Winnipeg Transit buses and stops. Jeff Keele reports.

A heavier police presence is coming to Winnipeg Transit routes and facilities in a bid to improve safety on city buses.

On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Police Service announced it is collaborating with the City of Winnipeg on a safety strategy aimed at putting an end to violent and disruptive behaviour on transit.

“We’re going to be targeting people that get onto buses and choose to either perpetrate violence or disruptive, anti-social behaviours,” said Supt. Brian Miln with the Winnipeg Police Service at a news conference on Wednesday.

As part of this initiative, which will begin this week, transit users can expect to see an increase in police officers riding on buses and patrolling near transit stops. This includes both uniform and plainclothes officers, with a focus on high-risk areas and behaviours.

The city noted that this strategy is aimed at detecting and suppressing violent crime and is rooted in prevention and protection.

“I think the best way to describe it is that it is going to be a layered approach,” Miln said.

“The WPS, we bring certain skills, we bring tactics, experience and tools to the table, which our other folks including our community safety team, our transit inspectors, City of Winnipeg, things that they just don’t bring to the team. So we’re going to be working together to combat violence.”

According to police, 325 violent crimes were reported last year at Winnipeg Transit locations, including on buses and areas around bus shelters. This marked a historic high that was nearly triple the 2019 levels.