WINNIPEG 鈥� The Manitoba government says it will now provide permanent funding for 12 new Winnipeg police officers as part of its public safety strategy.
The funding for the program had been temporary under the province鈥檚 Retail Crime Initiative, but it will now stay for the long run to address a rise in retail theft and violent crime in some parts of the Manitoba capital.
The province previously allocated $1.1 million to pay for police to work overtime in hot spots in Winnipeg such as retail stores and malls.
The change is part of a number of initiatives announced by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe to combat crime provincewide.
There is also a two per cent increase in funding for municipal law enforcement, and the electronic monitoring program will be expanded outside of Winnipeg.
The government also plans to strengthen impaired driving legislation and hire 100 mental health workers to work alongside first responders.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press
