The Manitoba government is working with community leaders and landlords to help ensure they are aware of the tools and resources available to help deal with drugs, criminal activity and other issues that negatively affect neighbourhood safety, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced today. “The province has a number of options available to help tenants, landlords and other concerned citizens identify, report and respond to unlawful activities,” said Cullen.  “By working together, we will make our communities safer for all and help to reduce crime.” There are several ways that landlords and tenants can address public safety concerns with the support of the provincial government: In situations where a tenant is engaged in unlawful activity that poses an immediate risk to others, a landlord can evict a tenant with only five days’ notice.  If this is disputed by the tenant, the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) can schedule a hearing within five days. Tenants and landlords can request voluntary, legally binding mediation through the RTB on issues such as owing rent, repairs or evictions. Any Manitoban can file a confidential report with Manitoba Justice’s Public Safety Investigations (PSI) unit about properties where threatening or disturbing activities regularly take place, such as unlawful drug use, prostitution, unlawful use or sale of intoxicating substances, child exploitation, or participation in a criminal organization.  Following an investigation, the province can issue a warning letter to the property owner, resolve the problem out of court, or apply for an order to close the property or remove the tenants involved. Since 2016, the PSI unit has responded to 435 complaints about properties with chronic, problematic behaviour.  Of these, 425 were confirmed to have drug-related activity.  Because of PSI investigations, 375 properties were closed. “Police cannot deal with crime on their own and landlords need to be part of the solution,” said Sel Burrows, chair of the Point Douglas Residents Committee. “We are very pleased to work with the RTB and the province and that they’re committed to working with the community and landlords to speed the eviction process for tenants involved in criminal behaviour out of their rented property.” Information about provincial resources for landlords and concerned community members has been developed in consultation with the Point Douglas Residents Committee and will be distributed over the next several weeks.  The minister noted this information will also be shared with landlords at a workshop hosted by the Winnipeg Police Service on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at William Whyte School, 200 Powers St.  Pre-registration is required by emailing gbeattie@winnipeg.ca. More information about resources available to landlords and tenants is available at www.gov.mb.ca/rtb, by calling 204-945-2476 or 1-800-782-8403 (toll-free), or by emailing rtb@gov.mb.ca. To learn more about the public safety investigation unit and how to file a confidential complaint, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/commsafe/scna.html or call 204-945-3475 or 1-800-954-9361 (toll-free).

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 7:15 am, a call was received of a possible impaired driver being followed into Brandon on Highway 10. The caller stated the driver was speeding and swerving all over the road and was driving in the wrong lane at one point. The vehicle was located on 18th St N by the coral centre. The operator was exhibiting signs of impairment and she was arrested for impaired driving. She provided breath samples of over twice the legal limit. The 28-year-old Brandon woman was later released to attend court at a later date.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release As a result of an ongoing fraud investigation from September 7th, where the complainant reported her credit card being stolen and used without her permission 79 times for a total of approximately $5,000, a 21 year old Brandon woman was arrested and charged. She was located in the area of 9th St and Park Ave and upon arresting her, she was fund to have two small baggies of meth in her possession. The accused was released for a later court date.

A two-vehicle crash occurred this afternoon near Earl Oxford School in the intersection of 18th St and McTavish Ave. Two cars were involved, and one of them was leaking fluids, which called for the respond from Brandon Fire and Emergency Services. The collision caused considerable traffic backup along 18th St, bottle-necking traffic going southbound to one lane. Nobody was injured during the crash, and the scene was left with Brandon Police Service and Accel Towing and Transport.  Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release An ongoing investigation from September 20th of a theft of a Google Pixel 2xl cell phone from BRHC has resulted in the arrest of a female suspect. Police viewed the surveillance video and identified the female suspect as the person responsible for the theft. Police located, arrested and released a 48yr old Brandon woman to appear in Court on December 13th.