Winnipeg hosts summit aimed at combatting retail crime

In a bid to crack down on retail crime in Manitoba, leaders from different industries across the private and public sectors have gathered for a summit — the first of its kind.

Back in May, the province paid police officers to work overtime in specific high-crime spots in the city. And while this “Retail Anti-Theft Initiative” is now ending,  leaders want to see it go further.

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“They’re learning about the reality in retail, the increase in violent incidents. And were all sitting at the table trying to find a solution. Manitoba is the first province that has done that in a very progressive way,” said Diane Brisebois, the president & CEO of the Retail Council of Canada.

Brisebois says she hopes the summit will be an example for other jurisdictions looking to reduce crime.

“I think that today may be an example for them to follow in order to build that kind of strength.”

Honourable Ray Wyatt says the many root causes of increased crime including health, addiction, and poverty, need to continue to be addressed as leaders chart their way forward.

“Certainly, I think as a community, as a collective, we can to work together to manage people’s risk and provide alternatives to incarceration and keep people away from crime,” said Wyatt.

Manitoba premier Wab Kinew adding, “So we’ve got to focus on the prevention stuff, and then we’ve got to focus on the accountability side at the same time. We take a comprehensive long term view like that.”