WINNIPEG — The sister of Camille Runke is suggesting changes to the way protection orders are done, after Runke was allegedly gunned down by her ex-husband.
“I don’t want to cry about it anymore,” said Maddie Laberge, sitting down with Global News Thursday, “I want a solution, lets make her death mean something.”
Laberge said her older sister had done everything within the law to protect herself.
READ MORE: Winnipeg police investigating husband of homicide victim shot in St. Boniface
And now hopes the Manitoba government can do more to protect people like her sister. She asking that ankle monitoring bracelet should be given to those who have a protection order with a previous history, as well a phone number to get counselling.
“We could look at this man’s history and find out what he was all about,” said Laberge, “he would have been probably the prime candidate to track to find out where he was.”
WATCH: Camille Runke’s sister wants ankle bracelets given to suspected stalkers
“If the accused is indeed stalking the victim, the ankle bracelet could almost certainly provide evidence if the abuse continues,” said Laberge, “On the other hand, if the accused is innocent, the benefit for them is that they can feel secure in the fact that they may be cleared of such offences.”
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The province announced last week it will make changes to its Domestic Violence Act including making it easy for people to get a protection order and their talking to experts about whether they can implement a gun ban and use GPS devices.
“We’ll look at the pros and cons, we’ll look to see what could be the consequences and make sure we try and get this right and strengthen the orders and strengthen the ability of people to obtain those orders,” said Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh.
Camille, 49, was shot dead at the back door of her workplace, BJ’s Trophy Shop on Marion Street, the day before Halloween.
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READ MORE: ‘He finally got her, we knew’: Friends of St. Boniface murder victim want change
For months, friends said Camille feared for her life after her ex-husband, Kevin Runke, 44 allegedly began stalking and harassing her.
“She couldn’t go to work,” said Camille’s friend Jen Noone. “She was followed, she couldn’t talk to people he was tapping her phone lines she couldn’t live the life she wanted to because of him.”
Camille and Kevin married in 2013 but things fell apart this summer.
Camille would tell her friends every time Runke would allegedly do something, including smashing her vehicle windows, cutting her brake lines, even attempting to flood her basement on July 24th. That’s the day Camille applied and got a protection order against Kevin.
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“We all watched Camille unbearably suffer and we all had our hands tied,” said Laberge. “There wasn’t anything anyone could do, not even Winnipeg’s finest police officers. I’m not here to point fingers, I want to change laws. The current laws prevented anyone from coming to her rescue.”
From June to October, Camille told Winnipeg police about 22 incidents. She was told by police to install security cameras outside her home and more lights.
READ MORE: Winnipeg police confirm husband of woman murdered in St. Boniface is dead
“Camille Runke did everything she could to reasonably sever her relationship and protect herself,” said Deputy Chief Danny Smyth on November 4th..
Smyth said police had warned Kevin several times to leave Camille alone and on October 23rd, a week before she was killed, he was warned again.
Winnipeg police had actually submitted a report to the Crown’s office to consider criminal harassment charges against Runke but on October 30th at 6 a.m., Camille was killed.
“If it’s not this idea, let’s get another idea,” said Laberge, “let’s get people thinking about this, we need to come up with something.”
Laberge lives in Edmonton but is asking Winnipegger’s to help her change a system that failed to protect her sister.
“If you agree, contact your MLA and/or MP and tell them your story, or simply say you want this idea to be discussed and examined. This is a solution to consider. Laws can and need to change,” pleaded Laberge. “Let’s save some lives. I wish I could have saved Camille.”
The Provinces says it wants to hear Manitoban’s ideas on how to better the system. They hope to make changes as early as December.
Kevin Runke, took his own life after police found him driving near St. Malo on November 2nd.
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