The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) is providing an update on the Winnipeg Transit Violent Crime Intervention Strategy, which launched on September 17, 2025, and concluded December 31st.
In cooperation with the Community Safety Team and Winnipeg Transit, the WPS initiative focused on high-visibility policing, targeted enforcement, and proactive presence on buses, in transit corridors and at bus stops. The strategy was in response to growing concerns and incidents of violence and disorder on and around the Winnipeg Transit System. The goal was simple; to enhance safety for transit users and operators.
The statistics associated with the strategy were carefully tracked and collected to determine effectiveness. A comparison of reported transit related crimes between the same period in 2024 yielded the following results:
- Total crimes decreased by 15.1%
- Violent crimes decreased by 18.2%
- Property crimes decreased by 15.2%
During the 15-week project, assigned officers engaged 442 separate times in various capacities. This resulted in the following outcomes:
- 12 Criminal Code arrests
- 98 fare evasion enforcements
- 143 hours riding on buses
- 101 hours on foot at bus stops and other transit locations
- 36 hours of marked cruiser car patrols
During the strategy, Winnipeg Transit initiated calls for police service were as follows:
- 1,044 reports
- Same period in 2024 = 1,259 reports
- a 17.1% decrease
Although the statistics and downward trends appear to show positive results, the WPS knows significant work is still required in this area to meet the goals in a long-term sustainable way. To support this, officers from WPS divisional Community Support Units and Foot Patrol Units continue to provide a visible presence within and on the transit system as part of their day-to-day responsibilities.
Working alongside city partners, including Winnipeg Transit, the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Community Safety Team, these results reinforce the value of targeted enforcement and visible presence initiatives.
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The WPS remains committed to making Winnipeg Transit safety a priority. Our messaging remains the same:
Everyone – riders, operators, and transit staff – deserve and have a right to safety. Violent and disruptive conduct will not be tolerated. This initiative is rooted in prevention and protection, aiming to foster a transit system that is welcoming, reliable, and secure for all Winnipeggers.