Boots hitting pavement

Winnipeg Police have announced a new safety strategy for the downtown core. 

Called Centreline the initiative will put more officers on the street walking foot patrols, on buses and being more visible in the core area.

The strategy focuses on a dedicated area of downtown. Foot Patrol and Community Support Unit officers in the downtown will be assigned ownership of a geographic area within Centreline and deployed based on crime analytics. The aim is to reduce the risk, frequency and severity of crime and social disorder, enhance public safety, and reduce the number of frequent users of emergency services.

 

Centreline is a response to surveys and analytics regarding the safety and perceived safety in the downtown of Winnipeg. According to a recent survey 91% of women said they felt unsafe walking alone downtown after dark. 

Winnipeg Police joined the United Nations Safe Cities initiative becoming the first city in North America to do so. The Centreline program incorporates the basic principles of the UN’s initiative.

 

Police are hoping the program will open dialogue, resolve issues and improve safety in the downtown area.

-News4 Staff-