The provincial government announced today the details of Manitoba’s Guns and Gangs Suppression Strategy. The new initiative was made possible by more than $2.3 million in federal government funding. All part of the Government of Canada’s Initiative to Take Action against Gun and Gang Violence.
The funding will be used to equip Manitoba police agencies with the tools, equipment and capacity to suppress gun and gang activity in Manitoba including:
- • $1.3 million to support the Winnipeg Police Service’s Guns and Gangs initiatives, which will focus on the identification, arrest and dismantling of gangs, criminal organizations or violent crime groups, especially those involved with illegal firearms and illicit drugs;
- • more than $704,000 to develop a new database that will enhance the collection and dissemination of illicit firearm and gang intelligence, and improve intelligence sharing in Manitoba;
- • $172,000 for specialized equipment for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, and gang intelligence and awareness training for other police agencies outside of Winnipeg;
- • more than $80,000 to support the expansion of community mobilization programs;
- • $20,000 to support gang exiting efforts; and
- • more than $12,000 to support specialized training for Crown attorneys for the prosecution of organized crime and firearms offences.
In 2018, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Street Crime Unit alone arrested 411 people, seized more than $2.4 million worth of illicit drugs, more than $1 million in cash and 144 weapons including knives, firearms and explosives. Of the 411 people arrested, 161 of them were known gang members or associates. Year-to-date statistics for 2019 show Winnipeg is on par for similar results.
