West End groups applaud drug crackdown

Several groups in the Maryland-Sherbrook community say they support the police service’s recent crackdown on open drug use and trafficking because of the escalating threat of violence to residents as [...]

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* Several groups in the Maryland-Sherbrook community say they support the police service’s recent crackdown on open drug use and trafficking because of the escalating threat of violence to residents as they shop, go to school and pick up food.

“We continue to strongly believe in essential supports for those experiencing addiction, but it must come with measures to protect immediate threats to public safety. All levels of government should be co-ordinating with one another to address these issues,” says an open letter released Tuesday from business and property owners, residents, employees, community organizations, and stakeholders “committed to a safer, stronger West End.” That includes the West End BIZ, the Lion’s Manor, Winnipeg School Division, West Broadway Youth Outreach and the Just Like New To You Thrift Shop.

The group says they can no longer stay silent because that would be irresponsible. “In the last five months, our community has experienced a significant increase in daytime robberies and stabbings, multiple fires set in business vestibules, break-ins, threats to children and other vulnerable people including seniors living in our neighbourhood and those accessing community programs, as well as serious threats and assaults against area employees, volunteers and health-care workers,” the letter says. They want urgent action and say they support the police blitz against public drug use from June 24 to July 3.

In some instances, members of the public have had to walk around people using drugs outside a fast-food outlet on Portage Avenue at Sherbrook Avenue, drugs have been consumed in a business vestibule and in a bus shelter. At Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool, at 381 Sherbrook St., the city introduced new security measures, including remote door locks that require patrons to buzz in before entering the public facility. The union that represents staff had threatened to file a grievance about the lack of response to dangerous incidents.

At the time police launched the clampdown, they said it had been triggered by months of complaints from residents, business owners and others, who had demanded action be taken. Several outreach groups, including West Central Women’s Resource Centre and Resource Assistance for Youth, denounced the police operation, saying drug users were pushed into less visible places where they couldn’t get help. They also said police took away harm-reduction supplies.

The Maryland-Sherbrook community says the violence and drug use is unacceptable and deeply damages the area. “We have seen serious violent harm to individuals using public space simply to get to needed amenities like thrift stores, local pools and grocery stores,” the letter says. “Additionally, drug purchasing causes dangerous gang proliferation as it drives the local illicit economy.

Recently, a building with significant drug trafficking was closed in the area after residents and employees reported violence, frequent public sexually explicit activity and threats nearby.” The