Neighbourhood Watch program relaunches in Winnipeg

With crime at the top of mind in the city, Winnipeg police are re-launching the Neighbourhood Watch Program, a move that has community safety advocates pleased.

“We are going to do hard press to make sure the community is aware of what we can offer and how we can partner with them,” said George Labossiere, inspector of Community Support.

“By partnering with the community on these fronts we establish what is a sustainable program that will benefit all who participate. It can begin with one person, one sole person who determines they want to take the lead by becoming the block captain for their area.

The provincial government will be spending $46,000 to revitalize the program. According to police, the money will go towards tools to increase community awareness, and efficient crime reporting practices, as well as offering crime prevention strategies.

“Part of the key is that by having block captains represent a larger group of citizens, we essentially are moving the information from those citizens through the block captain to the police making it far more efficient for us to address the needs of the community.”

Community outreach worker Mitch Bourbonniere says that although he appreciates the initiative, he does worry about the safety of the volunteers and hopes proper training will be provided.

“I’m in favour of any initiative that gets people volunteering and organizing and walking and being on our streets,” said Bourbonniere.

“Some trauma-informed training some de-escalation skills, some abilities to work with people relationally on the street.”

Leila Castro, the founder of 204 Volunteers, says addressing crime in communities is a complex issue but programs like this are a good start.

“There are people who need housing, there are people who are into addiction, so I believe a more comprehensive solution is needed for that one.”

Castro says, a community watch program can build stronger relationships between residents.

“Programs like this encourage people in the neighbourhood to connect. To know one another to have the means to contact one another.”