World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for everyone to join in promoting understanding about suicide: those impacted by a suicide attempt or loss, family or friends, organizations, professionals, politicians, volunteers, and community members. Every year on September 10th, people in over 50 countries connect to continue Working Together to Prevent Suicide.   This theme marks the importance of communities everywhere coming together to recognize the impact of suicide and to strive to prevent it.  WSPD reminds us that teamwork and solidarity make us stronger together and it is an opportunity to spread the message that help, hope, and healing are possible. It is estimated that each day in Canada, 10 people will end their life and 210 will make a suicide attempt. Every year, 160 million people worldwide contemplate suicide and tragically, 800 000 of them die by suicide.   If we all do our part, we can prevent those deaths that do happen and the devastating impact they have. Virtual World Suicide Prevention Day activities are planned in the Prairie Mountain Health region during the week of September 8-11, 2020. The Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN) will be highlighting and recognizing the incredible work of several community organizations who make Brandon & Area suicide safer.  During this especially challenging time with Covid 19, it is important to note how these organizations have adapted their services and outreach to those at risk.  The interviews with dignitaries and community organizations will be on SPIN social media throughout the week. SPIN has also become a champion for the Centre for Suicide Prevention’s Buddy Up campaign. Men have a suicide rate 3X higher than women but these suicides can be prevented.  This campaign was created for men by men, encouraging them to have real conversations with their buddies and to support them if they are struggling with thoughts of suicide.  Here’s what you can do:  Pay Attention to noticeable changes in behaviour; Start a Conversation in a comfortable setting and mention what you have noticed; Keep it Going by asking questions and listening to what he’s saying; and Stick to Your Role – you’re a friend, not a counselor, but know what resources are available.  Watch for the #buddyup electronic messages on 18th Street billboards and posters/stickers around the city. For more information on suicide awareness educational opportunities, events, and resources, please go to the SPIN website at www.spinbrandon.ca. If you are struggling yourself or are concerned about someone else’s suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to reach out for help.  Contact the Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line at 1-877-435-7170, a crisis line available 24 hours per day. A trained crisis worker will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need. Locally you can contact Westman Crisis Services at 204-725-4411 or 888-1-379-7699. In an emergency call 911 or contact a local hospital. (submitted)

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the 1100 block of Victoria Ave on Wednesday afternoon for a two vehicle crash. The crash involved a City of Brandon garbage truck, and a small SUV. It appeared that the garbage truck was coming out of a back-lane onto Victoria Ave when it made contact with a westbound SUV, shearing a large hole in the rear door of the SUV. Fire crews deployed a large amount of sand to help soak up fluids that were leaking from the SUV. No one was injured.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon, police attended the area of the 200 block of 4 Street after a female was reported in the area, taking mail and small packages out of mailboxes. The female, a 21-year-old from Brandon, was located with items from approximately 15 different mailboxes. She was arrested and released for court in October.

BRANDON—The Manitoba government is providing law enforcement agencies in Brandon and Winnipeg with more than $8 million through the Manitoba Restart Program to support the construction of new or enhancement of existing police detention facilities, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced here today. “Our government is committed to the safety of all Manitobans including safe conditions for detainees and the staff operating these facilities,” said Cullen. “These important investments will also support jobs in the construction industry as we continue to safely restart and grow Manitoba’s economy.” The support announced today includes: • $4.4 million for the Brandon Police Service (BPS) to create a new permanent detention facility as part of its headquarters; and • $3.5 million for the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) to facilitate updates to its Central Processing Unit. As part of the $4.4 million, modular cells will be constructed at the Brandon Police Service Station to address demand in the interim period while design and construction on the permanent structure take place. This funding is being provided to ensure both BPS and WPS have facilities with the appropriate capacity to support their police agencies. “This funding will provide the BPS with the ability to construct a modern detention facility that will help ensure the safety of our clients, staff and the community we serve,” said Chief Wayne Balcaen, Brandon Police Service. “We also thank the Manitoba government for additional funding through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which will provide additional tools and training to our staff, and ultimately contribute to overall public safety.” “The Winnipeg Police Service would like to thank the province for its contribution toward the capital costs to address infrastructure challenges that emerged as a result of the changes in prisoner processing,” said acting Chief Arthur Stannard, Winnipeg Police Service. “These renovations that we will make in our Central Processing Unit will help us better meet the needs of our members and the detainees in our care.” The minister announced the province has also provided almost $200,000 to BPS this year through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund for training and equipment upgrades, noting $25,000 of the funding was shared with the Brandon Bear Clan organization to purchase a van for their operations. In Manitoba, cash and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property are deposited into the Criminal Property Forfeiture (CPF) Fund. The province also maintains the Federal Proceeds of Crime Fund (FPOC), which is generated from forfeited proceeds of crime through the prosecution of federal offences in Manitoba. All monies received are re-allocated to activities related to crime prevention including victim services, law enforcement and community initiatives such as drug prevention education. Since 2011, more than $16 million has been distributed to law enforcement agencies and community initiatives through the CPF Fund, which includes the FPOC and Victims’ Assistance funds. (Province of  MB News Release)

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon confirms that two additional employees of the corporation have recently tested positive for COVID-19. This represents the second and third positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed within the municipality’s workforce since the City of Brandon identified its first staff case on August 13th, 2020. One of the impacted employees works within Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and was identified through contact tracing as having possibly been exposed by a family member.  The employee immediately began self-isolating and has had no contact with the general public since August 22nd, 2020, and last worked on August 19th, 2020. The employee self-isolated in their home until obtaining a test on August 25th, 2020. At no time was there a risk to the public, and the employee continues to self-isolate in their home through their recovery as per the guidance of Manitoba Public Health and Occupational Health. The other impacted employee works in the Transit Department, but was scheduled to be off on vacation and so has not been at work since August 6th, 2020.  The two impacted employees had no contact with each other during this time. The City of Brandon wishes both employees a safe and speedy recovery. As it has since the outset of its response to this global pandemic, the City of Brandon adheres to a high level of COVID-19 prevention protocols in its workplaces and public spaces, including, but not limited to: mandatory handwashing/sanitizing upon entrance to all civic facilities, the installation of plexiglass barriers at all public service counters, the establishment of safe physical distancing protocols in its facilities, mandatory face coverings, and extra cleaning of commonly-touched surfaces. More information on the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 response can be found at https://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. (CITY OF BRANDON MEDIA STATEMENT)