The Winnipeg Police Service plans to restart its crackdown on open drug use and drug trafficking in the city following a targeted blitz in June. Police confirmed new enforcement efforts will start again Friday in areas where there have been ongoing concerns due to crime and social disorder. “Residents can expect to see a visible police presence in specific areas that have been identified based on a combination of crime data, complaints, tips and emergency calls for service,” said Police Chief Gene Bowers during a Thursday morning news conference. This round of enforcement is expected to last until November, where it will be reassessed. Bowers said based on feedback from community organizations, officers will be collaborating with outreach workers on calls to help connect people to appropriate services and resources. “At the time, I acknowledged that community organizations should have been part of our efforts,” Bowers said. Jackie Anderson, executive director Ka Ni Kanichihk, said the collaboration with police includes harm reduction training, relationship building and Indigenous community care education. “Our goal is to connect our relatives with the services they need, including emergency shelter, system navigation, detox and treatment, and, where appropriate, reunification with family and home communities with a safety plan in place,” she said. “Healing happens through relationships, collaboration, and community.” The police service also released the results of the 10-day enforcement between June 24 and July 3. Over the 10 days, officers responded to 1,099 total events and made 106 arrests. Of the arrests, 93 were for outstanding warrants or for breaching conditions, five were for possession of a scheduled substance, and three were for possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police said in the 10 days, property crime incidents dropped 10.5 per cent and violent crime dropped 16.5 per cent compared to the same time period in 2025. Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said he appreciated the communication between police and community groups since the initial police action. “Enforcement alone will not stop the crisis,” Gillingham said. “Outreach alone will not meet all the needs. The goal, of course, must be to break the cycle, to get our loved ones who are on the street off the street into supports and housing connected to care helping them find a path to recovery.” It’s all welcome news for businesses in the West End. “We are pleased to see that the police are going to be doing enforcement action again,” said Joe Kornelsen, executive director of the West End BIZ. He was among several businesses and organizations who signed an open letter calling for the initiative to be extended. He said he’s already heard from businesses in the area that say the crackdown has been helping. “There was a reduction in crime, in violence, risks to their employees, the kids in the area, that kind of thing. So yes, it was an improvement,” Kornelsen said. He said he hopes to see the initiative become permanent after it is reassessed in November. -With files from CTV’s Danton Unger
