MLL looking for quotes on security components, reinforced windows for Liquor Marts

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This article was published 12/12/2019 (1595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is shopping for more pieces of its enhanced security plan for crime-besieged retail outlets in Winnipeg.

The Crown corporation put out a tender for “security system components” Monday, along with a second notice seeking quotes for 26 “impact-resistant transaction windows.”

MLL’s shopping list follows its recent announcement of beefed-up measures to protect staff and customers at Liquor Marts which, in recent months, have been targeted by shoplifters between 10 and 30 times a day, police say.

Some incidents have turned violent, as was the case last month at the Tyndall Market Liquor Mart during an afternoon armed robbery that sent an employee to hospital in critical condition.

Security upgrades to deal with rising crime were already planned across the city — and were underway at Tyndall Market — but the violent incident pushed MLL officials to move up the announcement.

Police arrested a 15-year-old boy soon after the Nov. 20 incident. Two other suspects managed to flee. All were armed with knives.

The corporation did not respond to a request for further details and updated statistics on the value of liquor stolen in 2019.

MLL’s requests for quotes on both the security components and the windows close Dec. 20.

Michelle Gawronsky, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, which represents liquor store workers, said she continues to meet with MLL executives on a regular basis to keep tabs on security improvements.

“We continue to meet every month or so, to follow up, so they can report into me what they’re doing and we can report to them how our members are feeling… They’ve listened to our members. They’re taking everything very seriously,” Gawronsky said.

“Our members are hopeful that they’re going to move forward and they’re willing to give time to move things forward in a positive direction.”

Transaction windows — often made of hardened glass — allow the secure transfer of items between two spaces using a drawer or tray. It appears the windows will be used to exchange driver’s licences and other ID in the security booths soon to be constructed at the entrances of all city Liquor Marts.

A controlled entrance is already in place at the Tyndall Market outlet. It features a security booth staffed by a uniformed guard who checks customers’ identification before remotely unlocking the door to let them inside the store.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe