West End businesses want drug blitz extended

A group of Winnipeg businesses is calling for action to crack down on crime, and they want police to carry out another drug sweep.

A group of Winnipeg businesses is calling for action to crack down on crime, and they want police to carry out another drug sweep. Stores and shops in the Sherbrook and Maryland communities have written an open letter calling for help. West End BIZ executive director Joe Kornelsen said they are very concerned.

“The escalating level of violence and the threats that we’re seeing, robberies, there’s been some daytime stabbings,” Kornelsen said. Kornelsen said they know policing isn’t a long-term solution for people struggling with addictions. But he said they’d like to see a recent 10-day police sweep on open drug use continue.

He said businesses noticed a difference. “The threats to their employees came down,” Kornelsen said. “The threats of violence that they had been experiencing was significantly diminished.”

Mayor Scott Gillingham agrees, and said he’d like to see the enforcement again. “I’ve been door-knocking this week in some of the evenings, and a lot of people have expressed their appreciation for the Winnipeg Police Service and the crackdown on open illegal drug use,” Gillingham said. But it’s unclear whether the blitz will continue, or whether police will release the results of the 10-day operation.

In a statement to CTV News, Winnipeg police said they are reviewing the operational outcomes, community impacts, and feedback from stakeholders. “No final decisions have been made regarding reporting, future activities, or the release of results. We will provide an update once that process is complete.”

CTV News asked the mayor whether the results of the crackdown should be released publicly. “Any information that could be provided would be welcome,” Gillingham said. After the sweep became public, a number of outreach groups raised concerns that the crackdown did more harm than good for vulnerable people struggling with addictions and homelessness.

Gillingham disagreed. “We can do both,” Gillingham said. “We can be compassionate with people struggling with addictions, at the same time uphold the law.”