Bus riders, drivers welcome police safety initiative; two arrests made on day plan rolled out

The announcement of a new police strategy — placing both uniformed and plainclothes officers on Winnipeg Transit — was welcome news for riders Friday.

The Winnipeg Police Service announced the initiative’s first arrests were made on Wednesday, when the plan was unveiled.

“I love it,” said one elderly woman who was waiting for her bus at Unicity. “I love it for the bus drivers as well, because they take the brunt of it.”

She said she had already noticed more police nearby, pointing out that she saw multiple cruisers pull into the parking lot while she ate breakfast at a nearby Burger King.

A bus driver, who asked not to be named, said he’s thankful the Amalgamated Transit Union pushed for a the Winnipeg Police Service presence on buses.

“Just from the number of incidents I have heard this morning, I am happy they’re around,” the driver said. “It’s Johnny on the spot, and things have worked out where police have been there. It’s good for everybody in that regard, and the possibility that they might not be wearing a uniform may change a lot of people’s attitudes.”

The driver said he has witnessed everything from violence to destruction during his time behind the wheel — including passengers defecating and masturbating. While he admits police won’t solve every problem, he said the announcement alone has had an effect. Over the past two days, he’s already noted fewer people skipping fares.

The WPS said Wednesday that officers would begin riding buses, patrolling transit stops and monitoring shelters, both in uniform and in plainclothes.

The move came after 325 violent crimes were reported at Winnipeg Transit locations in 2024, including on buses and in areas around bus shelters. The service said that marked a “historic high” that nearly tripled 2019 numbers, with the trend continuing this year.

“Everyone — riders, operators and transit staff — have a right to safety,” the WPS said in a news release Friday, announcing the first arrests resulting from the new initiative.

“Violent and disruptive conduct will not be tolerated. This initiative is rooted in prevention and protection, aiming to foster a transit system that is welcoming, reliable and safe for all Winnipeggers.”

The program is expected to run until the end of the year, when it will be reassessed, police said.

Both incidents Wednesday occurred near the Unicity transit hub on the 3600 block of Portage Avenue, police said.

Staff members at a retail store alerted police about a theft in progress at 8:50 a.m. Officers stopped and arrested a 37-year-old man as he tried to board a nearby bus. He has been charged with theft under $5,000.

The same officers returned to the Unicity hub a few hours later, shortly before noon. A transit driver saw a man smash a bus window with his elbow and called police, the WPS said.

The officers arrested a 35-year-old man minutes later for mischief. They allegedly found him a flammable liquid and lighter on him, and he faces a second charge for violating conditions of a release order.

One retailer in the area told the Free Press people have previously walked off buses and into the store with weapons. Thefts are not uncommon there.

“It gets worse when it gets dark,” one worker said, adding that many stores in the area all share similar stories. Many store employees were reluctant to talk.

Another transit user, meanwhile, said daytime rides aren’t often a concern, in terms of safety.

“Any time after 7:30 p.m., I wouldn’t ride the bus,” said the rider, who asked not to be identified.

“Places close to malls or big-box stores seem to be the worst. I’ve seen people literally walk out of a Walmart with a bunch of clothes in their hands, tags still on them and walk straight into my bus.”

Police were in the area during the noon hour Friday. At one point, a cruiser car pulled over a vehicle in the adjacent Walmart parking lot, drawing a few onlookers.

ATU Local 1505 president Chris Scott said the idea of police on buses was first tested during a one-day pilot in 2015, which he called a success.

He said the original pilot was modelled on a program in Staten Island, N.Y., and marketed heavily to riders.

“That goes a long way, not knowing, just like air marshals on planes,” Scott said. “If you’re going to act out, somebody’s going to be there to deal with the situation that’s effectively trained and equipped.”

Scott emphasized that the union will continue lobbying for preventive measures, including more funding for housing, addictions and mental-health supports.

Court records show the 35-year-old accused has no prior convictions in Manitoba but is currently before the courts on charges including arson and robbery.

The 37-year-old has a longer record, with convictions dating back nearly a decade for assault and robbery. He also faces multiple ongoing charges, including assault causing bodily harm, robbery, theft and assaulting peace officers, stemming from both past and recent cases.

— With files from Erik Pindera

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca