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The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n
A community group in the North End of Winnipeg gathered Thursday to tackle some of the issues plaguing their community.<\/p>\n
William Whyte Neighbourhood Association president Darrell Warren said worsening crime and drug use was the impetus behind the community engagement meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cDrug problems are leading to people being robbed, and you can\u2019t just walk down Selkirk Avenue anymore, because there are so many people just high on these drugs that people don\u2019t feel safe,\u201d said Warren.<\/p>\n
The meeting had a panel of speakers with Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers at the helm. He was accompanied by the drug and gang unit, the arson unit, district officers, and Crime Stoppers.\u00a0Attendees had a chance to ask questions, and hear what police are doing to combat crime in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to know what you\u2019re doing about it and what we can expect,\u201d said Warren.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause it seems to be growing all the time, it\u2019s not getting better, it\u2019s getting worse.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said some people in the community feel like they\u2019re being ignored. He hopes the meeting will put some of those concerns to rest.<\/p>\n
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Darrell Warren organized the William Whyte community engagement meeting. He invited Winnipeg police to speak with community members about what they’re doing to combat crime. (Mike Arsenault\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Sylvia Kowalchuk was front and centre at Thursday\u2019s meeting.\u00a0 She\u2019s lived in the area for more than 30 years, and said crime and drug use has been a problem for a long time, and it needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an easy answer \u2026 it takes years to help someone who has a mental health problem. Think about the person who has the addiction.\u00a0They can\u2019t control it, and they don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kowalchuk appreciated the chief of police coming to the meeting to hear concerns from the community, and talk about the steps the service is taking to make William Whyte safer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s easy (for police) to come to these kinds of meetings,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Listening to the community<\/p>\n
Winnipeg police officers from various units spoke at the meeting.\u00a0Bowers offered some closing comments then took questions from the room. He said getting direct feedback from the community is an important part of policing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to determine where our resources go, and where they\u2019re best served, and I want to hear from the community,” he said. <\/p>\n
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Winnipeg police Chief Gene Bowers and two other officers break down their policing efforts in the William Whyte area, and share crime stats with community members. (Mike Arsenault\/CBC)<\/p>\n
Bowers said as the police chief, it\u2019s important for him to attend community meetings so he can be accessible, and learn what residents want to see from their police service.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe use data and whatnot, but sometimes just having that feel and communication is important to really understand what those issues are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bowers said crime rates are decreasing in every part of the city except William Whyte.<\/p>\n
Reporting Anonymously<\/p>\n