'Enough is enough,' premier says as Manitoba promises crackdown on criminals, unit targeting violent offenders

A new provincial police unit will take aim at violent criminals, backed by strengthened bail and probation programs to break the criminal cycles of high-risk offenders, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said Thursday.

"We are no longer going to put up with the heinous acts of crime committed by the most violent criminals in our society. Today we say enough is enough," she said.

"Enough worrying about the safety of your children as they head to school, out to parks, out with their friends. Enough of worrying about your safety when you go downtown to work or to a sporting event. Enough of worrying about guns and knives and senseless deaths."

The province is spending$3.2million on the new multi-agency integrated violent offender apprehension unit, which will dedicate officers fromthe Winnipeg Police Service andRCMPto work withotherlaw enforcement across the province. Initially it will consist of 12 officers, six each from the WPS and RCMP.

"We all deserve to feel safe whenever and wherever we go out. It's fundamental to a strong and healthy and growing province," Stefanson said at a morning news conferenceat The Forks in Winnipeg, a popular gathering place that saw a spate of attacks in the early summer.

"Today, we all join forces in a show of strength and collaboration."

The funding for that unitwill start flowing immediately, and it is expected to be up and running in 2023.

Targeting high-risk offenders

The most common root causes of crime are homelessness, mental health and addictions, Stefanson said, repeating funding announcements for outreach organizations madeearlier this week.

"But we must also give law enforcement the tools needed to deal with those that have resisted health, that prey on others and choose a life outside of law," shesaid.

"When combined, these initiatives and increased supportwill allow police officers to take on violent crime like never before and give community groups the resources to work with vulnerable citizens to ensure they have a place to call home."

The new unit will have access to the tools, intelligence and resources of police forces in order to track down violent offenders and take them into custody, the government stated in a news release.

"Many acts of violence are being committed by repeat and prolific offenders who are well-known to law enforcement," said Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen.

Officers in the new unit "will use criminal intelligence practices to target and track high-risk offenders who have warrants for arrest, who are gang-involved, drug traffickers, illegal gun smugglers, or involved in organized crime," he said.

"Once identified as high-risk offenders, these individuals will receive enhanced surveillance and monitoring, which often leads to arresting these individuals before they cause further harm."

Supervision programs

In addition to the integrated violent offender apprehension unit, Stefansonand Goertzen announced initiatives built aroundcommunity-based supervision programs for those on bail and probation.

The province is increasing resources for the criminal organization high-risk offender unit, an intensive probation program that focuses on people identified as posing a very high risk to public safety.

The extra resources will allow more offenders to be monitored, including those in rural jurisdictions, the province says.

It is expected to decrease the likelihood of someonebreaching bail conditions or reoffending in other ways, helping both thatindividual and their community, said Goertzen.

Stefansonalso attacked the federal government'schanges to bail provisions, which will "allow these dangerous criminals to be released on bail, often ending up in a continuation of the cycle of violent crime," she said.

"Gang members, drug dealers and violent sex offenders must be held accountable for their actions. We believe that the initiatives we have announced this week will put us on a path to a safer Winnipeg and a safer Manitoba for everyone."

'Politics at work here': Opposition

Opposition NDP Leader Wab Kinew accused the province of touting the introduction of a joint police unit that it eliminated only a few years ago.

"The most important thing for us to understand is that the PCs cut this program in 2017. There was an integrated task force, and that funding was cut by this premier," he said, referring to cuts made to two joint units that year.

"And so I think there's some politics at work here."

A provincial spokesperson said the difference between the old units and the one announced Thursday is "the level of integration with both provincial resources and capabilities, and bringing together all police services in Manitoba."

In an email, the spokesperson said the money announced Thursday includes spending on joint criminal intelligence capability in the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, something they said didn't exist in 2017.

Manitoba promises crackdown on criminals, unit targeting violent offenders

2 years ago

Duration 2:30

A new provincial police unit will take aim at violent criminals, backed by strengthened bail and probation programs to break the criminal cycles of high-risk offenders, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said Thursday.