Police mum about final report on 10-day drug crackdown

Winnipeg police will not say whether results of the controversial 10-day crackdown on open drug use and drug trafficking that ended this month will be made public.

Police mum about final report on 10-day drug crackdown Mayor says he’d like to see results, but wouldn’t say if they should be shared with public To continue reading, please subscribe: Digital Subscription One year of digital access for only $205* - Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com - Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper - Access News Break, our award-winning app - Play interactive puzzles To continue reading, please subscribe: Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional $1 for the first 4 weeks* Winnipeg police will not say whether results of the controversial 10-day crackdown on open drug use and drug trafficking that ended this month will be made public.

On Wednesday, Winnipeg Police Service said officials are still deciding whether or not to release the overall outcome of the operation, which took place from June 24 to July 3. “We are reviewing both operational outcomes and community impacts, including valuable feedback provided by stakeholders. No final decisions have been made regarding reporting, future activities, or the release of results,” wrote Const.

Dani McKinnon, in an email. Mayor Scott Gillingham said the decision on whether to release the data is up to police, noting city council doesn’t have the power to direct law enforcement operations. However, he said he would like to see those details.

“Any information that could be provided, I think would be welcome,” said Gillingham. Police did release early details of the operation. WPS said officers “interacted” with more than 100 people on June 24 and 25, with an initial focus on Main Street between Logan and Higgins avenues.

On those days, police arrested 25 people, with two of the arrests related to drug possession or trafficking. The other 23 were related to active warrants and breaches of court orders. Police say they transported about 20 severely intoxicated people to emergency departments during that period.

While details have not been released since, Gillingham said he’s witnessed notable changes around city hall, which he credits to the operation. “Right outside city hall, there is a bus stop on Main Street (and William Avenue) ... Before the police started this open enforcement, every day I would see people using drug paraphernalia, taking drugs, smoking drugs in that bus shelter ... multiple times a day.

(These were) people, my staff and others, would respond to, who were overdosing or appearing to be overdosing in front of city hall ... I have not seen people using drugs in that transit shelter since the police cracked down on open, illegal drug use,” he said. “Any information that could be provided, I think would be welcome.”

The mayor said he believes the police work should continue. “A lot of people have expressed their appreciation for the Winnipeg Police Service and the crackdown ... We can be compassionate to people who are struggling with addictions and, at the same time, uphold the law and make sure that our public spaces are available for the public,” said Gillingham.

Ensuring kids can play in parks without the risk of stepping on needles and keeping transit shelters free of second-hand drug fumes are key priorities, he said. Multiple outreach groups have opposed the police operation, saying police confiscated harm-reduction supplies and some drug users moved to more private spaces, further from services and supports. The Free Press reached out to social service agencies Wednesday, who referred reporters to a statement released by Manitoba Harm Reduction network on July 3.

“In the coming weeks, we hope to meet with WPS to ensure accountability for this campaign, including a transparent review of its outcomes,” the statement said. The mayor said police are working with frontline agencies to help both sides understand each other’s roles in addressing substance use and addictions. “Police (are) working with the social service agencies, if this enforcement is going to continue, to make sure that those who are struggling are getting the help that they need,” said Gillingham.

“Our members said (safety) improved (but an) absence of something is sometimes difficult to measure.” Joe Kornelsen, executive director of the West End BIZ, said he would “absolutely” like to see data from the entire operation. “Our members said (safety) improved (but an) absence of something is sometimes difficult to measure,” said Kornelsen.

Reports of violent threats against employees “significantly diminished” during the police operation, he said. “A lot of us are very concerned about the escalating level of violence and threats that we’re seeing, robberies, ... stabbings and things that were deeply concerning,” said Kornelsen. He said addressing root causes of crime is essential to making the area safer in the longer term but quick action also helped.

“The urgency of the situation we’re dealing with today just required an urgent response,” said Kornelsen. Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) said she supports the enforcement effort, noting drugs were being sold in broad daylight in front of high schools and businesses in her ward.

“We’re going to have to do some crackdown on what’s going on around the community,” said Gilroy. Gilroy said she would like more details on the results of the enforcement, especially on the number of drug dealers who were arrested. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca X: @joyanne_pursaga

Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.

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