Winnipeg police warning wildfire evacuees about potential trafficking, exploitation

Winnipeg police and RCMP are warning wildfire evacuees to stay diligent against traffickers and exploitation while in the city.

“We know criminals often take advantage of people in times of crisis,” said Insp. Catherine Light, Manitoba RCMP.

Grand Chief Garrison Settee, with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak adding, “I’ve heard stories from previous evacuations that there were people going around trying to find people to sell drugs to and also trying to apprehend young women.”

In response, Winnipeg police and RCMP say they and their liaisons are visiting centres to build relationships and help deter crime.

They’ve added cars to the streets and sent out 3,000 of these safety brochures.

“We’re a Manitoba community, a Canadian community. What happens in Winnipeg affects the north and vice versa, so we’re acknowledging that and coordinating our response to address it in a more effective way, hopefully,” said Supt. Bonnie Emerson, with the Winnipeg Police Service.

They say to watch for predators offering youth money, gifts, drugs, or rides. They’re also warning against attending parties or hotel rooms with strangers.

“It can happen as quickly as one conversation,” said Supt. Emerson.

MKO Grand Chief Settee says mental health supports will also help with these concerns, and he’s calling for more.

“We had some through the Red Cross, but the amount of people that we have in our shelters and also in our hotels, there’s not enough resources to be able to handle that group of people, so we’re hoping to have more support in that area,” said Grand Chief Settee.

The city is now hosting more than 14,000 evacuees, and police report 70 calls for service from evacuation sites thus far.

They’re reminding evacuees to call 9-1-1 for any emergencies and to report any suspicious circumstances and non-urgent crimes.