The Winnipeg Police Service says recent drug enforcement activities are having an impact on downtown Winnipeg safety. During a news conference Tuesday morning, Police Chief Gene Bowers shared an update on the drug enforcement program initiated this year that combines police enforcement and referral to outreach groups. “We’ve looked across the country, and from what I’m hearing, and what we’re hearing, we’re definitely going in the right direction, if not leading the way on some of our initiatives,” Bowers said. Between Aug 7 and Oct. 6, police made 55 arrests, including 43 involving people with warrants and probation breaches. Three of the arrests were on drug possession charges. Police also referred 117 people to the Downtown Community Safety Project, 33 people to Main Street Project and 16 to the supervised consumption site. Since June, Winnipeg police have been increasing their presence in neighbourhoods where open drug use and drug trafficking have seen a significant increase, such as the downtown area. Jackie Anderson, executive director of outreach organization Ka Ni Kanichihk, said organizations such as hers are assisting police due to the rapport they have built with unhoused people. “Those relationships are built on trust, respect, passion and consistency, and when we walk together, we bring those relationships with us,” she said.
