The Manitoba government is formalizing its ongoing collaboration on retail thefts with law enforcement partners, in consultation with Manitoba Liquor Lotteries and other stakeholders through Operation Safe Streets, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen and Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “We have always worked closely with our law enforcement partners and other stakeholders, and now, Operation Safe Streets will build on this important work by bringing the right people around the table to continue this important dialogue,” Cullen said.  “Operation Safe Streets will be another crime-fighting tool as part of our overarching Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan, which takes a whole-of-government approach and recognizes that we can accomplish more when we work together.” Operation Safe Streets is an operations table model used by law enforcement.  It will consist of the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and other representatives from law enforcement, including security from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, the minister noted. Operation Safe Streets is a direct response to the increased incidents at Manitoba Liquor Marts and will build on the Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan, which focuses on treatment, education and enforcement. Additional public safety initiatives will include: •    launching a new Crime Stoppers advertising campaign in Winnipeg, Brandon and rural Manitoba including more cash for drug tips; and •    taking steps to improve the sharing of criminal intelligence between the RCMP and municipal police forces, including joint forces operations, and greater support for tactical enforcement by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS). In order to support these enhanced enforcement efforts, the government will make it easier to seize and liquidate drug money and drug dealers' assets by expanding the civil forfeiture process, Cullen said. “The rate and severity of these brazen thefts and robberies occurring in Winnipeg continues to be incredibly concerning because everyone should feel safe when they go to work,” said Wharton.  “Our government is committed to a comprehensive whole-of-government approach to addressing theft, reducing violence, and improving mental health and addictions in our province.” Over the past year, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has been working to address the growing issue of theft by implementing a number of security and theft deterrent measures in stores including adding bottle locks, lockable display cases, dummy bottles, restricted area access control to prevent stockroom access and rotating special duty constables (WPS) throughout stores across Winnipeg. Most recently, Manitoba Liquor Marts has started transitioning to controlled entrances and all customers will be required to provide valid photo identification before entry into the store is permitted. Since the start of its second mandate, the Manitoba government has taken numerous steps to implement the Safer Streets, Safer Lives Action Plan. The province has announced since September a number of additional public safety investments including: •    announcing a $1.9-million annual investment to support the expansion of RCMP crime reduction and enforcement teams to focus on serious, prolific offenders and drug dealers; •    investing approximately $516,000 in the Winnipeg Police Service, including new computer workstations for the technological crimes unit, which will improve its ability to process digital evidence and more effectively investigate crime and a drone to provide aerial support for search and rescue operations and tactical support, using infrared and other technology; •    investing nearly $41,000 from criminal property forfeiture with Altona, Winkler and Morden police services, for a regional crisis negotiation unit and other resources; •    providing additional criminal property forfeiture investments for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service for a new K9 Unit vehicle ($70,000), Rivers Police Service ($6,400) and Springfield Police Service ($20,000); and •    investing $65,000 in the community mobilization hub serving Portage la Prairie. Additionally, more than 100 initiatives addressing mental health and addictions have been implemented across all of government since 2016.  Since October, 12 projects totaling at least $20.6 million have been announced to support stronger mental health and addictions services in Manitoba. (Province of Manitoba News Feed)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 26, 2019, police arrested a 22-year-old male following an investigation into the content on his electronic device. The suspect’s roommate was concerned about some images they observed on the suspect’s device, and reported their suspicion. Police obtained a warrant to search the device, and located images of child pornography. The male will appear in court on January 23, 2020 on a charge of Possess Child Pornography.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On August 2, 2019, police received a report of the theft of approximately $3800 from a business in the 1500 block of 18th street. An ongoing investigation into the thefts revealed that a former employee who resigned on August 1, 2019 was responsible. The 34-year-old female was arrested on November 25, 2019 and will appear in court on January 27, 2020 on a charge of Theft Under $5000

Joel runs the Brandon Men’s Soccer League and is an avid beer hockey league player in the Wendy’s Winter Hockey League. He is your local Purolator driver as well as an overall good guy. BDNMB.CA felt it is time for Joel Snyder to give us his 20 answers to our 20 questions What should everyone try at least once in their life: Double chocolate chip frap at Starbucks …..game changer You didn’t want to take over the family business, Brandon Ave Electric, was there a reason: My life is not electricity  People you enjoy following on Twitter: @biznasty Last 3 items on your credit card statement: Michael Hill – Sobeys – Cell Phone Quote you live by: DDFC – we do what we want How many hours per day screen time: 2 hours Secret skill: Used to be a kickboxer Who did you vote for and why: I didn’t vote How do you feel about being our youngest person we have asked to do 20 questions: I don’t feel too young Will your WWHL team make the finals this year: NO – we are the oldest team in the league Favorite song: Kiss from a rose: Seal Go to local watering hole: Decker or Tavern Favorite 3 TV shows: The Wire – Ballers – Seinfeld Pickles or Olives: Pickles but not sweet ones Do you know my dogs names: Pepsi and Curlin (that’s impressive) Beckham or Ronaldo and why: Ronaldo ….. Beckham was good Ever have a crush on a school teacher: Student teacher in grade 5 Better hockey player you or your dad: Vern is Do you wear underwear more than one day: Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do If you had a fire what would be the first thing you would take before you left your house: Pets – once in the night the alarm went off ( false one ) and I leaped up and ran through the house and left my GF sleeping on the couch …. She wasn’t happy.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 24, 2019, shortly before 10:00 am, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a business in the 1600 block of 18th street N. Suspects could be seen on video surveillance entering separate buildings in the area. Members established a perimeter and police K-9 conducted a track in the area which included Outback Drive. Officers who were monitoring activity in the area stopped a truck leaving the area occupied by two individuals. Images from the video of the Break and Enter confirmed that they were the suspects responsible. The passenger, a 31-year-old male was found to be involved in a separate theft reported earlier in the evening. Video surveillance from a business in the 800 block of 18th street N revealed that the suspect stole merchandise shortly after 9:00 pm. Further investigation also confirmed that the truck the two suspects were occupying had recently been stolen from the 1800 block of 18th street N. The owner had not yet discovered it’s theft when police had stopped it. Within the truck, police located bolt cutters and stolen property from other thefts. Both suspects attempted to avoid consequences for the offenses by providing police with false names. Members were able to learn their identities after discovering identification within the vehicle. The 31-year-old male passenger was lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre and will appear in court today on charges of Break and Enter X2, Possession of Break-in Instruments, Theft of Motor Vehicle, Theft Under $5000, Public Mischief, Fail to comply with Condition of Recognizance X 3. He was to abide by conditions to observe a curfew at a Saskatchewan address, not to leave the province of Saskatchewan, and not to communicate with the individual he was in the company of. The 29-year-old female driver was also lodged at Brandon Correctional Centre. She will appear in court today on charges of Break and Enter X 2, Possession of Break-in Instruments, Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Public Mischief.