Expect more Winnipeg police officers in busy retail locations during holidays to curb theft

The Winnipeg Police Service is launching a safe shopping initiative this holiday season to help reduce retail theft.

It means shoppers can expect to see increased police presence in busy retail locations.

“We want you to come out, we want you to come shopping,” said WPS Insp. Jennifer McKinnon with the major crimes vision. “You need to get those gifts under your trees. And we want our officers to be out, we want them to be present, we want you to see them, and we want you to feel safe.

“We are going to be throughout our retail areas in Winnipeg. This is going to be with a view to enforcement, but with an emphasis on visible presence.”

In partnership with CrimeStoppers, police have put together a most wanted list for retail theft to help officers and stores in theft prevention.

“These are going to be our offenders that are chronic, these are not our one-off shoplifters,” McKinnon said. “These are chronic, repeat offenders that have used violence when completing the act of theft. That list is going to be coming out if it hasn’t already.”

The initiative is a welcome sight for many retail business owners, who feel they have been left to their own devices dealing with theft in the past.

“We’ve experienced some theft in our store, but we didn’t feel a great support from the Winnipeg police in the past,” explained Michelle Cameron, the owner of Indigenous Nations Apparel Company.

“So when we’ve had theft we had to deal with it internally because there wasn’t that support. So it’s great to see there’s going to be more police presence in the mall.”

Police are nevertheless asking shoppers to be aware of their surroundings and items, calling it a shared responsibility for all.