In early November 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service initiated the SafeShop Project to continue to ensure shoppers, retailers, and staff experience safe and enjoyable retail environments throughout the Holiday Season.
The WPS deployed officers from Uniform Divisions, the Major Crimes Unit, the Property Crime Unit and city-wide Community Support Units, to focus on key retail areas of the city. The deterrence of criminal activity, theft prevention, and quick incident response, remained the focal point of the project.
The increased police presence has played a significant role in reducing crime and fostering secure environments for retailers, staff, and consumers.
Between November 1, 2024 and December 28, 2024, our officers:
- engaged with 187 retailers
- arrested 200 individuals
- recovered $56,579 in stolen property
With provincial funding, 12 new police officers were added to Division 11 Foot Patrol Unit at the beginning of November 2024. As a result, members of Foot Patrol spent 670 hours providing a visible presence and engagement with retailers in the Osborne Village, West End and the Exchange District biz zones as part of SafeShop.
Twelve additional provincially-funded officers will be added to the Foot Patrol Unit in the coming months to further the Service’s commitment to a safer, more vibrant downtown.
Foot Patrol members will continue the stepped up presence and engagement in the biz zones, as well as other hotspots in the downtown, but they are not alone in their efforts to improve safety for retailers, their employees and community members. Tackling retail crime takes the combined efforts of uniform officers across the General Patrol divisions, Community Support Units and the Community Relations Division, as well as the WPS’s full-time Property Crime Unit, whose day-to-day responsibilities include retail crime investigations.
Creating a safer community is something we can achieve together. Everyone – shoppers, retailers, and police – plays a role in reducing crime and fostering a secure environment. By working collaboratively, we can make a meaningful difference.
Public safety remains the top priority of the Winnipeg Police Service.
Further safety tips can be found on the Winnipeg Police Service website.