WINNIPEG — Winnipeg Police as well as cadets will soon be used to try and make city buses safer.
A report to the Winnipeg Police Board from the police chief says cadets will be able to ride and check buses as well as bus shelters as part of their regular duties. The report also says police officers will attempt to ride buses. Foot patrol officers will also used the buses to get to and from their assigned areas.
According to the report, police plan to use “analysis and intelligence” to find route hotspots for police to monitor.
The issue of safety on transit buses has been a significant issue for the Amalgamated Transit Union who has asked for better protection for its drivers.
“From spitting, slapping, punching, we’ve had bags of excrement thrown at operators, weapons have been used,” John Callahan, ATU Local 1505 president said.
The union recently said there were 60 confirmed assaults on drivers in 2015, but this new precaution will also be a safe measure for passengers.
“We’ve had calls from parents of children on their way to school who’ve had their iPods grabbed,” Callahan said. “There’s a lot of vulnerable people who use it and we want to ensure they’re safe.”
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