Manitoba restaurant association meets with province to discuss crime
Theft, vandalism a problem everywhere, restaurant owner says
Manitoba's restaurant operators are calling on the province to do more to fight a rise in crime.
Members of the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association met with Justice Minister Matt Wiebe on Tuesday to discuss what initiatives could be taken to address crime problems affecting the industry, particularly property crime.
Shaun Jeffrey, the association's CEO says most Manitobans are feeling the impact of crime, which he said got worse after the COVID-19 pandemic. He said restaurants are no different.
"It's definitely at a new high and it's … something that we definitely have to take seriously," he said.
"We've heard the frustrations from our industry. We're frustrated as well."
Earlier this month, the province made permanent an initiative paying overtime shifts for Winnipeg police working in areas identified as retail crime hotspots.
Jeffrey said crime is no longer localized within a few areas of Winnipeg, but is a problem across the city and the province.
"This is … feedback that we've been getting throughout the province," he said. "It's something that we've shared with the provincial government in hopes to be able to work together on a future program, or some further assistance."
Saroj Nagpal, owner of the India Palace restaurant on Ellice Avenue in the city's West End, said her neighbourhood is very different from when she started her business over than 30 years ago.
She said theft and vandalism, like elsewhere Canada, has become a big problem. She said a lot of her loyal customers have moved out of the area over the years.
"A glass window was broken a couple months before," Nagpal said, adding that it was the first time it's ever happened to the business.
"I have a shutter outside, but we still have young kids … come and scream without any reason."
The association wouldn't share details of the meeting, including what initiatives were discussed. But Jeffrey said Wiebe was "very open" to addressing some of the challenges facing the industry.
Wiebe said in a statement Tuesday afternoon the provincial government is committed to creating safer communities, mentioning the extra funding for Winnipeg police and an increase in municipal law enforcement funding in the province's latest budget.
With files from Zubina Ahmed