Winkler is tackling crime in a creative new way.

Mayor Martin Harder hopes to combat the rising crime statistics with two new community-led approaches: the Safe Community Initiative which promotes greater cooperation between social service providers, and hiring Community Safety Officers to free up police officers for more serious investigations.

Since introducing the Safe Community Initiative earlier this year, the idea has grown, now led by Central Station Community Centre.

With funding from the city and a staff member in place, Harder says the next step is a community-wide assessment by coordinating with all available stakeholders including law enforcement, education and non-profit service agencies.

"It's an opportunity for people to get plugged in and share their ideas," Harder says.

With that tool, the Safe Community Initiative hopes to create a comprehensive, long-term plan for the future needs of the city and prevent crime by identifying gaps in service, helping people in desperate situations before they potentially turn to criminal activity.

Central Station Board Member Terry Dueck explains whether an individual has a strong support network, or faces many challenges on their own, they hope to equip people to make the best choices.

"It really is making sure that at every stage, every season, there is an opportunity to choose a better life, and not wait until there is a crisis," he says. "If we can make it easier and more likely for someone to take a step in the right direction, then we need to do that."

"I think it's a really good idea," Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert says. "The deeper you get in trouble, the harder it is to get out of. If we can catch the situation before it gets out of hand, it should be easier to solve."

The second approach is adopting a pilot program currently run out of Thompson, Manitoba.

Harder notes he has been intently watching Thompson's Community Safety Officer program, and recently traveled to the community to learn more about its impact.

"Their files are down by 19 percent in one year, it's an incredible number," he says. "If we can help our police department to reduce the number of files... then it should make their load lighter."

In total eight CSO officers have bolstered the local Thompson police force, armed with the authority to enforce legislation such as the Liquor and Gaming Control Act, the Child and Family Services Act, the Mental Health Act, the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act, and the Highway Traffic Act.

Harder notes CSO officers would also increase the visibility of police in the community.

"The community safety officer program blends very well into our safe communities initiative... and the policing issues we have in the city of Winkler in regards to the request for more officers," Harder says.

The Winkler Police Service has requested the hiring of two more officers.

"You can't police yourself out of a social issue," Harder says. "And we can't afford to continue to just add money into policing."

He says part of the solution must include a Community Safety Officer, the Safe Community Initiative, and traditional policing.

"We need to figure out a way to work together in order to accomplish that goal," he says.

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