Winnipeg police move to increase downtown presence during Jets games ahead of home opener

Winnipeg Jets fans may have noticed more police officers around the the Canada Life Centre as they headed to the team's home opener Friday night.

The Winnipeg Police Service says it's increasing foot patrols around the downtown arena as the NHL season gets started, with plans to further beef up that presence with additional members over the coming weeks off the back of a recent funding boost from the province.

Police said ahead of the Jets' home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks that the plan is for the patrols to be there before, during and after the game, as well as other upcoming events this season.

"What we really want to do is be a proactive resource," said Insp. Helen Peters, divisional commander of the Central District.

Peters said that, while they've deployed additional foot patrols during previous seasons, the focus this year is to collaborate with local partners and members of the community, and implement some of their feedback so they can make better use of limited resources.

"What I want to do is ensure the community knows … that we're going to continually listen," she said. "We'll be looking to change our resource plans, change our response plans right throughout the season and … for every event."

The zones the officers will be patrolling will be partially based on the feedback the police have gotten from True North Sports + Entertainment, community partners and people who attend the games, Peters said.

"Some of the feedback we've had was that cars were being broken into during the events," she said.

"So we've looked at … how can we get into those common and popular parking locations throughout the downtown where fans and families are parking their vehicles and make sure that we're there."

Jets fans feeling safe

Some of the fans attending the home opener Friday said that, while they appreciate the police presence, they themselves aren't too worried whenever they show up to cheer for their team.

Summer Fisher said other people may feel more comfortable coming downtown.

"More security is always better," she said. "But for some people, we don't notice it as much. We're just here for the good vibes."

"Never had any issues before," said Jonathan Graham, who brought his kid to the game. "If they're doing it for a reason, that's great, but we feel safe coming here."

Peters said that police aren't just aiming for more visibility, but also to be "an engaged presence."

"We want people to feel comfortable talking to us. We want to feel comfortable talking to people," she said.