Winnipeg police say its new transit safety initiative has already borne fruit, with arrests happening as early as Wednesday while the project was being announced.
Officers stationed at the Unicity Transit Hub made two separate arrests on launch day, including a man police allege was boarding a bus in an attempt to escape with goods stolen from a nearby business.
The man, 37, was charged with theft under $5,000.
“It comes as no surprise to us,” said Supt. Brian Miln. “There’s a direct link to our transit strategy, which is some folks who are involved in retail crime use transit as a means of leaving the area after they have committed shoplifting crimes and theft crimes inside retail outlets.”
The second incident involved a report from a transit driver about a man smashing the window of a bus with his elbow. The 35-year-old was tracked down by police patrolling the hub and charged with mischief under $5,000.
Police said they also found flammable liquid and a lighter on the man, who was banned from using those items under conditions of a release order. He received a second charge for failing to comply with conditions and was taken into custody.
Get breaking National news
Miln said although it’s only been a few days since the beginning of the transit initiative, so far the response from the public has been a positive one.
“We’ve had a couple of people reach out to us through various means,” he said. “Emails, phone calls, etc. … who are very pleased to see a police presence on buses, saying the initiative is very welcome and overdue.”
Police launched the campaign in response to a record high number of violent crimes recorded on transit buses and around bus shelters last year — more than triple the previous numbers from 2019 — and a trend they say is continuing.
The ramped-up presence, which involves both uniformed and plainclothes officers, will be focused around routes and stops that have been flagged as problem areas.
-
![]()
Transit safety an ongoing concern in Winnipeg -
![]()
Violence a major issue on city buses -
![]()
More violent incidents on city buses -
![]()
Transit update: keeping Winnipeg buses safe -
![]()
Update on Winnipeg transit safety team -
![]()
Community Safety Team continues to see early success on Winnipeg buses -
![]()
Downtown Winnipeg buses to feature new safety officers this week
- Judge rules proposed Alberta separation referendum would be unconstitutional
- ‘Cocaine lawyer’ for Ryan Wedding has legal licence suspended in Ontario
- Derek Chauvin, officer convicted of George Floyd’s murder, wants new trial
- Ryan Wedding’s ‘cocaine lawyer’ facing licence suspension, restriction in Ontario
Comments