‘Openly using drugs without care’: Businesses welcome downtown safety plan

Manitoba is spending $2.2 million on initiatives to make downtown Winnipeg safer. CTV's Jeff Keele has more.

More safety patrols and outreach workers are hitting the streets in downtown Winnipeg.

This is part of a $2.2-million summer safety plan funded by the province, announced Thursday.

“Making downtown safer is about making sure everyone in Manitoba feels comfortable downtown,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

Just Like New To You thrift shop operator Susan Lockhart says something has to be done.

“We’ve never seen this kind of drugs, vandalism, et cetera, in our neighbourhood, ever,” said Lockhart.

In recent months, Lockhart says their non-profit store that supports Health Sciences Centre has experienced a break-in, an attempted arson, and their vestibule has been used by people doing drugs and as a washroom.

They’ve purchased security cameras and sometimes lock the front door. They’re planning on installing smash-proof glass on the windows and a gate for the vestibule to keep people from loitering.

“We’ve probably spent $13,000 just in security costs, which could have gone to our charity, just to keep us safe here.”

The thrift shop is not alone. Brenden Gali, the GM of nearby Public Domain, a restaurant and event venue, says the neighbourhood is deteriorating.

“It has been a challenge to serve our community, seeing so many new faces on the street openly using drugs without care,” said Gali.

The provincial safety plan will see the money — plus $100,000 from the city — spread out among four BIZ groups and the Downtown Community Safety Partnership.

The funds will pay for a beefed-up presence on the streets, including more BIZ patrols and outreach workers, with a focus on de-escalating things before they start and getting those struggling with addictions and mental health toward the proper services.

“There will be paid, hired positions to connect with people that need supports and resources on the street, but also to check in with businesses to see how things are going,” said Downtown Winnipeg BIZ CEO Kate Fenske.

Susan Lockhart welcomes the plan. She says the street patrols work, but there are not enough of them. She hopes things can get turned around before it’s too late.

“We provide a valuable service to the community and so we don’t want to close down, but it can be very scary here sometimes,” said Lockhart.