Scott Gillingham today reaffirmed his support for Winnipeg Police Service operations targeting open drug use and trafficking. He committed $100,000 immediately after being re-elected to sustain the community outreach partnership that now works alongside police.
Speaking in Winnipeg's West End, Gillingham said proactive police enforcement must continue, along with the community outreach efforts that connect vulnerable people with treatment and support.
"I supported Chief Bowers when police launched these operations in June, and I continue to support this work," Gillingham said. "We can't arrest our way out of an addiction crisis. But we can't ignore the dealers who profit from it, either. We need police enforcing the law and outreach workers helping people get the support they need."
The Community Outreach Partnership with the Winnipeg Police brings together police and Indigenous-led outreach organizations to address drug-related crime while helping people struggling with addiction.
Ka Ni Kanichihk has played a leading role, providing a coordinator to organize weekly outreach walks and serve as a liaison between police and community organizations. Until now, it has absorbed the costs of coordination and outreach, but has advised that it cannot cover those unanticipated costs beyond October 31.
If re-elected on October 28, Gillingham committed to making $100,000 available immediately to sustain this work.
"Ka Ni Kanichihk and its community partners have stepped up," Gillingham said. "They've built stronger relationships with police and helped more people access services. But they shouldn't have to carry these costs on their own. We need to make sure this work can continue."
The partnership has produced measurable results. According to figures released by the WPS on October 13, joint operations since August have resulted in 3,758 community outreach engagements, 48 connections to support services, 10 people helped into detox programs and 55 arrests, primarily involving outstanding warrants and breaches of court conditions.
Gillingham also acknowledged the West End Business Improvement Zone and other neighbourhood organizations that supported proactive police enforcement this summer.
The funding commitment is part of Gillingham's broader community safety plan, which includes hiring more police officers for neighbourhood patrols and establishing a new Community Crisis Response to better handle mental health and addictions-related calls.
"Winnipeggers want safer streets, and they want people who are struggling to get help," Gillingham said. "We have an approach that's bringing those things together. My commitment is to build on that progress, not let it fall away."