The new year in Manitoba has started with a couple of criminal justice stories that, while shocking, perhaps shouldn’t come as such a surprise.
The first involved a Winnipeg based halfway house program whose goal was, in part, to help individuals leaving the provincial prison system break away from their gang affiliation. These types of programs are common in most large cities and they can play a role in reducing the number of people in gangs by helping individuals break free from that criminal lifestyle.
However, it was alleged last week that the program, called the Paa Pii Wak program, had been infiltrated by active gang members who were using the program to get other gang members released from prison. Winnipeg Police made a number of arrests and laid charges and the government funding for the program was withdrawn. While it is shocking that a program designed to help people get out of gangs could itself be infiltrated by gang members, it should not be surprising that gangs in Manitoba would be so bold.
The increase in gang activity in Manitoba over the past several years is an indication they don’t believe they are at much risk for getting caught or that there will be significant punishment if they do. The NDP government has done little to get tough on these gangs and their members and it has resulted in them becoming more bold and dangerous.
Just as shocking was last weeks arrest of two Winnipeg teens that are alleged to have been plotting a shooting at a Winnipeg Church and three Manitoba schools. The teens have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and being in possession of weapons. The arrests brought back chilling reminders to residents of high profile shootings that have happened in schools both in Canada and the United States.
While it is shocking to think such a violent act could even be contemplated here, it is not surprising since no area is immune to such threats of violence. In this situation, gratitude needs to be extended for the work of police officers and programs like Crime Stoppers which helped to ensure no acts of violence were actually carried out.
The story of gangs infiltrating a program designed to reduce gang activity and the story of a suspected teenage plot against schools and a church are shocking but perhaps not surprising given recent events. They remain as a reminder however that there is still much work to be done to reduce the threats and acts of violence that happen in our province and the influence that criminals still have in our society.
