Winnipeg police say they have had more than 100 “interactions” and made more than two dozen arrests since the service ramped up patrolling in areas of the city affected by open drug use and trafficking earlier this week.
Police presence has been increased in some parts of the city that have seen a rise in drug use and dealing in public areas, officials said at a Friday morning news conference.
“We are not criminalizing addiction,” police Chief Gene Bowers said, insisting the goal is to deter and reduce open drug use and disrupt drug trafficking.
The crackdown comes after community members and businesses called on officials to address open drug use and vandalism happening downtown.
“These issues are affecting people’s sense of safety, their well-being and their confidence in the community,” Bowers said, adding open drug use is “not something our community should be expected to accept.”
The 10-day crackdown, which is being carried out by officials from the community support and rapid response units, began on Wednesday, Winnipeg Police Service Supt. Brian Miln said.
Police said the areas being prioritized were chosen using geographic crime data, and include the downtown and Point Douglas areas.
Miln also said in an email to CBC the initiative extends to Portage Avenue, including the area around Sherbrook and Maryland streets.
Officers have had 100 interactions with people using drugs in public, police said, and 25 arrests have been made, according to the police service.
Winnipeg police to announce crackdown on open drug use, trafficking
The majority were related to breaching conditions and outstanding warrants, but police have laid one drug trafficking charge and one drug possession charge during the crackdown, Miln said at the news conference.
Three people were taken to the province’s 72-hour detox centre.
Police are taking a “zero-tolerance approach” to people openly using drugs, said Miln.
“People that are found consuming drugs will be detained. If there is any product left, we will be seizing it. And we’re also looking out for trafficking of drugs as well at the same time,” he said.
But Bowers said enforcement alone won’t fix the problem.
Addiction is a health issue, he said, and police are working with community outreach teams and health-care officials to connect people to supports and services.
Miln said the initiative also includes a team that transports or arranges transportation for people to hospital emergency departments. Several have been taken to emergency departments since Wednesday, he said.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said many Winnipeggers have grown tired of seeing people using drugs in public spaces — himself included.
It’s something he’s seen happening outside his own office window at city hall, he said at Friday’s news conference.
“Open illegal drug use in public spaces cannot become normal in Winnipeg,” Gillingham said.
“I stand with the police and I support their efforts to crack down on open, illegal drug use and drug trafficking.”
Gillingham said the 10-day initiative won’t solve the city’s drug crisis, but called it a “necessary step” for some Winnipeggers to feel safe in public spaces again.
