The City of Brandon is excited to announce the launch of a community survey aimed at understanding residents' perceptions of safety and well-being. This survey is a key part of developing Brandon's Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan, funded from the Province of Manitoba’s Department of Justice and in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities. As part of this initiative, multiple public consultation measures will be undertaken, starting with the current survey, and then expanding to focus groups and other forms of engagement. To enhance community safety and well-being for Brandon’s residents, we need a comprehensive strategy that addresses issues such as poverty, inequality, mental health, substance use, and homelessness. This initiative seeks to identify safety concerns within the community and develop a systematic plan to implement long-term, preventative solutions that address the underlying causes of these safety and well-being challenges. It also seeks to understand current views on community safety and well-being in Brandon, while also drawing insights from residents’ lived experiences. Our approach involves evaluating existing successful measures in Brandon, identifying obstacles, and recognizing unmet community needs. Conducting community surveys, engaging with the public, and gathering and analyzing data are all crucial elements of this rigorous process. We are committed to crafting a plan that is developed by our community for the benefit of our community. To participate in the survey, please visit surveymonkey.com/r/BMVJYYZ or request a paper copy by contacting cswbplan@brandon.ca. Survey responses are accepted until October 31, 2024. “Creating a plan together, with community involvement, significantly increases our likelihood of effectively tackling the unique challenges we face,” said Shannon Saltarelli, the Community Housing & Wellness Coordinator for the City of Brandon. “In addition to this survey, we are actively seeking ways to engage with every member of the community. Our aim is that everyone will feel encouraged to convey their stories to us, allowing us to develop a comprehensive plan.” For more information about this project, visit brandon.ca/community-safety-and-well-being-plan.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is wanted by police for robbery: Carmelita COOK On May 23, 2024, Carmelita COOK was involved in Robbery that occurred in the 100 block of Pacific Avenue East. The two victims were sleeping in their tent when COOK and two other suspects cut open their tent with a machete and sprayed the victims with bear mace, demanding their belongings. COOK’s whereabouts are unknown at this time, please contact Brandon crime stoppers with any information. CRIME OF THE WEEK for July 26, 2024 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a theft under $5000. On July 23, 2024, a male suspect who was riding a bicycle broke into several vehicles on Regent Crescent, stealing the contents from inside. The male suspect was captured on video surveillance that is attached to this incident. ****** If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.

Theft of Truck On July 25th at 07:13 am a resident in the 800 block of 20th street reported the theft of a 2022 red Chevy Silverado truck. At 10:35 am OnStar advised locating the vehicle in a business parking lot in the 900 block of Victoria Avenue. The vehicle was towed to Brandon Police Service for investigation by the Forensic identification unit. Anyone with information regarding this Theft of Truck is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact. Theft Under $5000 On July 25th at 11:08 am Police were patrolling through the parking lot of a business in the 900 block of Victoria Avenue when a male was observed running form the business with a basket full of unpaid merchandise. A 34-year-old male was arrested and the merchandise which totaled $379.99 was returned to the business. He was held for court on July 26th, 2024. Mischief Under $5000 and Theft under $5000 On July 25th at 08:27 am Police received a report that a vehicle parked in the 800 block of Lorne Avenue had the front passenger side window smashed. Two back packs were stolen from within the vehicle. The incident was caught on video surveillance and police were able to locate the accused downtown. A 44-year-old male was arrested and held for court on July 26th, 2024. Theft Of Skid Steer On July 24th at 5:14 pm Police received a report from a construction company that someone had stolen their Kubota Skid steer from the 400 block of 25th street. The piece of equipment is valued at $40,000. This matter is still under investigation. Police are asking for the assistance from residents in the area to check their security cameras. The theft likely occurred between 0300-0400 am on July 24th.   Break and Enter and Theft of Vehicle On July 25th at 4:53 pm Police received a report that a residence in the 600 block of Aberdeen Avenue had been broken into. The home was ransacked, and suspects stole several electronic items and a 2009 Grey GMC Sierra truck. At 6:39 pm Officers located the stolen truck parked at an address on Cornell Bay with a male sitting inside. When the male saw police he ran from the vehicle and into a residence. Police obtained a search warrant and entered the residence. An 18-year-old male and a 20-year-old male were arrested. Police found the stolen electronics from the Break in as well as a shotgun. The pair were held in custody overnight and will be released later today for court on October 7th, 2024. Arrest Warrant and Theft Under $5000 On July 25th at 7:10 pm an employee from a business in the 1500 block of 18th street north reported two individuals filled a backpack full of items and fled the store. Police arrested a 44-year-old male in the area, and he was found with the stolen items. The merchandise was returned to the store. The accused was wanted by Winnipeg Police Service for Breach of his Probation. He was held for court on July 26th, 2024. Break In On July 25th at 6:00pm Police were advised of a break in to a garage on Hickory Street. Suspects stole about $200 cash and a bicycle. Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact. Mischief Under $5000 On July 22nd, 2024, Police arrested a 38-year-old male in the 000 block of 10th street for Mischief under $5000. On July 22nd at 4:52 pm an employee of a business in the 100 block of 6th street reported the male had broken the door handle of the business. He was identified via video surveillance. The accused was released for court on October 21st, 2024

Stabbing On July 24th at 11:57 pm Police received a call to the 000 block of 9th street for a male that had been stabbed. A witness reported the male was stabbed by a female who fled the scene. The 24-year-old male victim was stabbed in the stomach. He was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding this Assault with a weapon is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact. Break and Enter and Possession of a weapon.  On July 24th at 0700am Police noticed a bicycle that was possibly stolen parked in front of an abandoned property in the 500 block of 7th street. Officers located two individuals in the residence who did not have permission to be there. A 38-year-old male and a 39-year-old female were arrested for Break and Enter. A search incident to arrest revealed the male was in possession of a stolen cheque book as well as two knives and a couple of shotgun shells. The pair were held for court on July 25th, 2024.

With the support of community partners, including the Downtown Wellness and Safety Task Force, Brandon is piloting the installation of hydration stations to make drinking water more accessible to the community. With the increasing frequency of extreme heat warnings, the availability of water for the most vulnerable in our community has been a challenge. Following earlier initiatives, such as Brandon Fire & Emergency Services teaming up with Police Service Cadets to hand out bottled water during heat advisories, setting up hydration stations downtown is another step in ongoing endeavors to ensure safe public access to drinking water where the need is the greatest. A hydration station is a seasonal water bottle fill depot installed on a public sidewalk and connected directly to a fire hydrant. The fire hydrant will remain usable for firefighting operations in the event of an emergency. The city plans for two hydration stations to go in this summer, with the first one being setup today at the corner of 7th Street and Rosser Avenue.  The location of the second station is being finalized with a plan to install as early as next week. Operating procedures are in place to ensure water quality at the hydration stations meet drinking water standards, which includes regular water sampling and testing. The first hydration station is in place, but signage will indicate that it is temporarily ‘not in service’ as the results of the water testing are pending.  The hydration station is expected to pass all water quality tests and put into use as soon as possible.  Signage will be updated at the hydration station when it is ready for public operation. It is expected that the first hydration station will be ready for use this weekend. Keep an eye on the City’s social media accounts for updates on the first hydration station being put into operation and for information on the second station being installed.  Also, remember to carry your reusable water bottle when you visit downtown Brandon!