BRANDON—The Manitoba government is investing more than $76,500 to outfit front-line Brandon Police Service (BPS) officers with tactical equipment to help keep them safe in high-risk situations, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced here today. “Police officers in Brandon and throughout Manitoba put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” said Cullen.  “It’s important for officers to have the necessary gear to ensure they are as protected as possible.  We are proud to make this important investment in officer safety from Manitoba’s Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund.” Funding will be used to purchase ballistic vests and helmets for members of the BPS tactical unit, ensuring they are better protected when responding to serious incidents.  A supply of tourniquets will also be purchased and carried by all BPS officers so they can provide immediate and potentially life-saving first aid to themselves or others. “Since 2016, the Brandon Police Service has received over $450,000 from Manitoba’s Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund.  This money has been used to purchase equipment which may not have been a reality otherwise,” said Deputy Chief Randy Lewis, BPS.  “This equipment has greatly added to the efficiency and the safety of Brandon Police Service officers in their never-ending efforts to protect the citizens of Brandon.” BPS will also receive an additional $32,500 for other specialized tools including holsters with lights, portable lights and a generator for investigations, and surveillance equipment.  In total, BPS funding from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund is more than $109,000 this year, Cullen added. The minister noted more than $1.4 million will be distributed this year through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to police agencies across Manitoba.  Since its inception, more than $19 million in assets has been successfully forfeited to Manitoba through criminal property forfeitures.  For more information about criminal property forfeiture, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/cpf/index.html.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release As a result of an investigation that began from an incident on August 23rd, a 55-year-old man from Brandon was arrested and charged yesterday for Sexual Assault and Obtain Sexual Services for Consideration. The investigation revealed that the male suspect had arranged to pay the female victim for sexual services and when the female arrived at his residence he refused to pay and sexually assaulted her. He was later released and scheduled to appear in Court in October.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 5:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, Police attended to the areas around the 900 Block of Stickney Avenue, Assiniboine Avenue and Pacific Avenue, after being contacted regarding several vehicles that had their windows smashed. As a witness reported seeing 2 males fleeing the area, Police conducted a K9 track that lead to the discovery of two male suspects being located, along with a sledgehammer. The two males were found to have in their possession property stolen from some of the damaged vehicles. The suspects were lodged at the Brandon Correctional Centre for their involvement in this incident while Police continued to investigate. Subsequently a 38-year-old male from Brandon was charged with 12 counts of Mischief to Property, 7 counts of Theft Under $5000 and Breach of Undertaking and later released with a scheduled Court date in October. The second male, a 37-year-old, also from Brandon was charged with the same 12 counts of Mischief to Property, 7 counts of Theft Under $5000 and Breach of Undertaking. He was further charged with another count of Theft Under $5000 for his involvement in a theft of merchandise from a business dating back to July 9th. He was also released with a Court date in October.

BRANDON—Senior citizens in western Manitoba have a new 63-unit property to call home, so they can live independently in the community. Today, representatives from federal, provincial and municipal governments attended its grand opening, along with the local co-operative that led its development. “Access to safe, affordable housing is a priority for our government and Manitobans,” said Families Minister Heather Stefanson. “We are proud of the partnerships with the federal government, City of Brandon and West-Man Seniors Housing Co-op that led to the grand opening of this important project that will better the lives of Brandon seniors and the community.” The Canada and Manitoba governments provided more than $3.1 million toward this $14 million project through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) extension agreement.  The four-storey property, located at 2105 Brandon Ave., features 48 affordable housing units and 15 units with rental rates set at market value. “Our government recognizes the importance of caring for our aging citizens,” said member of Parliament Doug Eyolfson, who attended on behalf of the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, federal minister of families, children and social development and minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “This is why we are pleased to announce the official opening of 2105 Brandon Avenue, a new affordable housing development which will enable more seniors from this community to age independently, close to family and friends.” The City of Brandon provided the property at 2105 Brandon Ave., valued at $920,000, at no cost and other support totalling more than $600,000. “The City of Brandon is proud to be a partner in this affordable housing project,” said Deputy Mayor Jeff Fawcett, who attended today’s grand opening on behalf of Mayor Rick Chrest. “At the heart of Brandon’s Affordable Housing Strategy is the philosophy that no one community group or organization can go it alone when it comes to improving the affordable housing landscape, and the many different partnerships forged to make 2105 Brandon Ave. a reality is the embodiment of that philosophy at work in our community.” The housing project was developed and will be managed by Western Manitoba Seniors Non-Profit Housing Co-op Ltd., which was established in 2009 to provide safe, comfortable, affordable and accessible housing for seniors in Brandon. The co-op also manages a 34-unit affordable seniors’ housing property on McDiarmid Drive. “Our proud co-operative volunteers would like to thank everyone who helped bring this project to completion, who worked hard to make this dream a reality for the people now living at 2105 Brandon Ave.,” said Harvey Douglas, president and chair of the co-op expansion committee.  “This building provides accessible, affordable, safe and secure independent housing that is also pet-friendly and smoke-free, for lower to mid-income senior citizens, allowing them to age in place gracefully. We will continue to look forward for more opportunities to provide housing options for these important community members.” Tenants began moving into the building in early May, which features common areas on each floor, an outdoor sitting area and a shared garden. The building meets Manitoba’s visitable and accessible design standards and Manitoba Hydro’s PowerSmart designation. As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, visit cmhc.ca or follow them on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.  To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit: www.placetocallhome.ca. Manitoba Housing, part of Manitoba Families, provides a wide range of safe and affordable housing options throughout the province, often in partnership with other governments, community organizations and private agencies.  For more information, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 1:35 p.m., Monday afternoon Police attended to a business in the 300 Block of 9th street on a report that a male with an outstanding Warrant of Arrest was currently at that location. Police arrested the male inside the building and as he was being escorted out he fled on foot. The officer pursued and the male suspect was eventually captured after he unlawfully entered a residence in 300 Block of 7th street. The 22-year-old male was further charged with Escape Lawful Custody and Unlawfully in a Dwelling. He was lodged at the Brandon Correctional Centre and is scheduled to appear in Court today.