Bear Clan helps police promote safety campaign after spike in North End property crime

Members of a North End watch group went door knocking with police in the William Whyte neighbourhood Friday to spread safety tips after a spike in property crimes in the area, but some residents want assurance they'll soon see more officers patrolling the streets.

The Bear Clan patrol joined in to helpspread the word about a new Winnipeg police awareness campaign, dubbed the Home Smart Safety Initiative. It aimsto give people practical reminders to help keep their homes, garages and vehicles safe from break-ins.

Locking doors when home or away, not announcing you're on vacation on social media, and keeping driveways, doorways and garages well-lit in the evening are all helpful deterrents, police said.

What would help ease nerves more than a list of safety tips, says 26-year-old mother Pho Mue Naw, is more boots on the ground.

"[It's] not safe for my kids sometimes I'm scared," Nawsaid from a neighbour's porch on Magnus Avenue.

"I want more police driving around in the area. I want to see more police."

Naw has been living with her family on Alfred Avenue for six years, and in that time she saysher vehicle has been broken into and the door to her home damaged.

Susan Chief lives nearby on Aberdeen Avenue and hasn't been the victim of a break-in, but she chalks that up to a particularly toothy form of security.

"It's almost happened to me, but I've got a big dog," she said.

Chief got involved with the Bear Clan about a year ago after meeting co-founder James Favel on one of his regular community patrols. Concerns over loose needles and drugs on the streetencouraged her to contribute her time and energy.

"I see a lot of stuff that goes on," Chief said, adding homeowners appreciated the chance to chat property safety.

"Everybody that we've spoke to so far, they all say it's an excellent idea that we're out doing this today [with police]," Chief said.

Look out for your neighbour

Bob Geddes lives in St. James with his wife, who is from Long Plain First Nation. After retiring from the military, he learned of the Bear Clan's attempts to build a greater sense of community in the North End and got involved with the patrol.

Adding more police isn't necessarily always the answer, he said.

"The community really needs to look out for themselves, and they do that," Geddes said.

Bear Clan volunteer talks crime prevention, community safety

7 years ago

Duration 1:17

Members of a North End watch group went door knocking with police in the William Whyte neighbourhood Friday to spread safety tips after a spike in property crimes in the area, but some residents want assurance they'll soon see more officers patrolling the streets.

"By being in the community without weapons, without force, being a non-violent, de-escalating type of presence, I think we fit with the community very well. But again, at the end of the day, when things get badyou really need to call the police.

"With the Bear Clan, we can't be here 24/7 like a lot of people would like us to be, but when we are on the streets we do see a very positive difference and we just try to work with the police at opportunities like this to help them communicate better with the community at large."

Break down barriers

Patrol Sgt. Phil Penner said property crime in general has been on the rise, with the William Whyteneighbourhoodhit particularly hard. The safety initiative isn't just about determining what's causing the uptick in break-ins and thefts, he said.

"I think part of why we're out today is to also break down some barriers," Penner said.

"Not only are we out to try to give some crime-prevention tips, but we're out to engage with the community, engage with the homeowners, engage with the residents and let them know we're in the area to help."

Jamie Blumden, inspector in charge of the Winnipeg Police Service's North End division, said the Smart Safety Initiative is an evidence-driven strategy that comes down to putting resources in "hot areas" where crime data indicates they're needed most.

Police go door-knocking in the North End

7 years ago

Duration 0:29

Members of a North End watch group went door knocking with police in the William Whyte neighbourhood Friday to spread safety tips after a spike in property crimes in the area, but some residents want assurance they'll soon see more officers patrolling the streets.

Blumden says every week, updated crime-trend data will be communicated to respective divisions, which are then expected to adjust patrols and increase police visibility in certain areas accordingly.

"If another area is sort of lower in crime but it's getting out of the norm, we sort of concentrate on that," he said. "It's targeting areas where the crime is getting out of hand."

Police may focus on another neighbourhood in the near future, although Blumdensaid that decision will be based on crime trends.

Watch groups on rise, too

The Bear Clan Patrol has been established in Winnipeg's inner city for several years, coming back from a long hiatus after being active in the 1990s.

In recent weeks and months, several other groups have taken Bear Clan Patrol's lead, including one group in Wolseley and two others, Transcona Troopers and 204 Neighbourhood Watch.

Favel said he was honoured to walk side by side with police on Friday to help deliver an important message that goes beyond reducing property crime.

"For Bear Clan, when we're on the streets we're about people, not property," Favel said.

"Safety in your community is not rocket science, it's about being engaged, paying attention to your surroundings and talking to the people around you. I really want to see a rise in people communicating with one another that's the basis of a strong community."

Favelencourages anyone with an interest in starting a similar watch group to contact the Bear Clan Patrol and get their policy and procedure manual for free.