Winnipeg Police Make Several Arrests Following Launch of Transit Crime Prevention Strategy

Police search for evidence at the scene of a fatal stabbing of a bus driver at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Feb. 14, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Winnipeg police say they have made several arrests on the city’s transit system the same day a new initiative was introduced aimed at curbing escalating violence and disorder on public transit.

The new program, dubbed the Winnipeg Transit Violent Crime Intervention Strategy, involves boosting the presence of uniformed and undercover officers at bus stops and on bus routes identified as high-risk. It was launched Sept. 17 in response to a sharp increase of violent crimes impacting the city’s transit system.

Winnipeg Transit reported a historic high of 325 violent criminal incidents in the transit system last year, which is more than three times the number recorded in 2019.

Two arrests were made on Sept. 17 by officers assigned to the new initiative while patrolling the area near the Unicity transit hub.

The first arrest was just before 9 a.m., when staff at a nearby store alerted police to a theft in progress. Officers said they managed to stop the suspect as he was about to get on a bus.

A 37-year-old man was arrested and police say he was been found to be in possession of stolen items. He has been charged with theft under $5,000.

Several hours later, police say the same officers returned to the Unicity Hub area once again where a bus driver told them a man had smashed the window of his bus. The incident led officers to arrest a 35-year-old man for mischief under $5,000, after which further violations were uncovered.

“During his arrest, he was found in possession of a flammable liquid and a lighter, contrary to his release order. He was also charged with fail to comply with condition of release order and also detained in custody,” police noted in a Sept. 19 news release.

Working in conjunction with Winnipeg Transit and the Community Safety Team, Winnipeg police said officers will have an increased presence in order to crack down on violent incidents and crimes on the city’s transit system.

“You can expect to see officers riding on buses and patrolling near transit stops, including bus shelters and stations,”police said in a Sept. 17 release. “This operation will include both uniform and plainclothes officers and aims to prevent, detect and suppress violent crime and disorder that impacts the safety and wellbeing of our community.”

Police say the increased police presence on buses and around high-crime transit hubs is focused on improving safety for all users and employees of the transit system.

“Everyone – riders, operators, and transit staff – have a right to safety,” police said in a Sept. 19 news release. “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 safe for all Winnipeggers.”