The Manitoba government is launching a new fact sheet for landlords that clarifies the process for evicting tenants who are breaking the law and putting others at risk, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced today. “We know that landlords have for too long struggled to gather and present the evidence they need to evict drug dealers and other criminal elements from their rental properties,” said Cullen.  “The Manitoba government is committed to making our communities safer, and this new resource gives landlords the clarity and guidance they need to navigate the system quickly so they can protect their property and the safety of other tenants.” The minister said if a landlord wants to evict a tenant engaging in unlawful or unsafe activity, a hearing must be requested through the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB).  For these types of applications, the RTB will schedule hearings on short notice.  The new Landlords’ Fact Sheet clarifies the evidence that landlords may submit to support an order of possession application.  This includes: • video, photographs or audio evidence of the incident(s) in question; • incident reports, warning letters or written confirmation from law enforcement agencies that unlawful activity is taking place in the rental unit (incident numbers are not sufficient); • any incident reports from security staff, property managers, maintenance, paramedics, fire department, health and bylaw inspectors, alarm companies or police that proves the behaviour may be escalating; • verbal or written statements from anyone who has direct knowledge of the tenant’s conduct; and • financial statements or receipts for repairs. To further assist landlords and tenants, Manitoba Justice’s Public Safety Investigation Unit (PSIU) provides dedicated support to all Manitobans who are concerned about illegal drugs and other dangerous activities occurring in their residential neighbourhoods.  The PSIU can help landlords gather the evidence necessary to secure an order of possession, the minister added. The Residential Tenancies Branch will also continue its public education outreach programs, so all Manitobans can access information on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.  For more information about the PSIU and resources available through the Residential Tenancies Branch, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/commsafe/scna.html and www.gov.mb.ca/cca/rtb/index.html. Source: Province of MB News Feed 

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On Saturday evening, a vehicle known by police to belong to a woman who is banned from the city of Brandon was observed on Creighton Blvd.  The vehicle was then stopped by police in the 2600 block of Victoria Ave and the female driver was arrested for breaching a recognizance order.  The vehicle was searched following her arrest and over 30 grams of methamphetamine was located.  The woman, a 36 year old from the RM of Woodworth, was lodged at Brandon Correctional Center and will appear in court on Sunday morning charged with Breach of Recognizance and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 4:45 am, officer attended a disturbance at a residence in the 400 block of Frederick St.  Several people involved in the dispute had left and were located in Rideau Park.  A male had been assaulted during the disturbance when a female struck him in the head with a bottle.  A female youth was arrested for Assault with a Weapon and Breaching an Undertaking order and lodged at Brandon Correctional Center. She will appear in court on Saturday morning.  The male was transported to BRHC for treatment of minor cuts to his head.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 1:40 am, officers responded to a restaurant in the 1900 block of Richmond Ave after staff reported a male was threatening them and other customers.  The male had also pulled out a knife and waved it at customers in a threatening manner.   The male, a 27 year old from Killarney, was located outside the restaurant and arrested.  He will appear in court on Saturday morning.  A 28 year old female, also from Killarney, was with man and was lodged at Brandon Correctional for Breach of Peace to be released when she is sober.

Brandon, MB – The Public Art and Mural Committee is excited to announce that the first round of murals are in the process of bring installed downtown. A total of 8 murals will be installed under this process throughout the spring. The committee, comprised of representatives from the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC), Brandon Downtown Development Corporation (BDDC), City of Brandon – Community Development, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (AGSM) and downtown property owners, started their work this past year with the colorful ‘Brandon – A Home in the Blue Hills’ mural at 1126 Rosser Avenue. The paint is just now drying on their newest mural at 440 Rosser Avenue and another couple muralists are expected to put paint to walls within the next week. The eight murals expected to go up this spring are: 1. 921 Rosser Avenue – Artist James Culleton 2. 630 Rosser Avenue – Artist Nereo Eugenio 3. 704 Pacific Avenue – Artist Emmanuel Jarus 4. 118 10th Street – Artist Jason Botkin 5. 217 10th Street – Artist Jerry Rugg 6. 315 10th Street – Artist Mary Lowe 7. 440 Rosser Avenue – Miguel Rodriquez 8. 136 11th Street – Artist Trevor Wheatly By creating colourful and modern murals on blank surfaces, the Public Art and Mural Committee hopes to announce to our community that downtown Brandon is undergoing an exciting transformation and is becoming an increasingly vibrant neighbourhood in our city. Funding for the Murals was made possible by the Government of Manitoba, the City of Brandon, the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation, the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, and several downtown business owners. (Article Submitted)