The Manitoba government is investing $1.1 million to strengthen community safety in Steinbach and several other municipalities across Manitoba as part of its Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy.

“Public safety is a top priority for this government,” said Justice Minister Matt Wiebe. “We’re working with municipalities to keep people and communities safe, cracking down on drug dealers and getting weapons off our streets, while also tackling the root causes of crime.”

To help support community safety initiatives and enhance security at municipal buildings, the Manitoba government will provide funding to the:

  • City of Steinbach – $200,000;
  • City of Thompson – $300,000;
  • City of Dauphin – $200,000;
  • City of Selkirk – $200,000;
  • City of Morden – $100,000; and
  • City of Winkler – $100,000.

“We know that each municipality in Manitoba has unique needs, and we want to make sure they have the resources they need to keep their communities safe,” said Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard. “Our municipal partners deserve to have a provincial government that supports and empowers them in making their communities safer, and under our government, they have that.”

The funds will support community partnerships that improve safety and upgrades to municipal buildings such as:

  • security cameras;
  • alarm systems and improved lighting;
  • repairs to damaged windows, doors or locks; and
  • measures to address vandalism and graffiti.

“The announcement is absolutely incredible and we are very excited to receive the $200,000 as a city,” said Mayor Earl Funk, City of Steinbach. “We have a lot of projects that we are considering exploring to enhance the safety of our community. It’s always a good day when we are given opportunities like this one to make Steinbach safer.”

The investment supports measures to improve safety and security in community spaces and aligns with the Manitoba government’s Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy, which takes a balanced approach that is tough on crime and the causes of crime, with strong emphasis on prevention and community-based programming, the ministers noted.