Transit police concept to be considered
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$19 $0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then billed as $19 every four weeks (new subscribers and qualified returning subscribers only). Cancel anytime.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/05/2017 (2529 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A proposal from a group of councillors to improve transit safety through the creation of a transit police force and other initiatives has been referred to a committee for study.
The proposals, from Couns. Jeff Browaty, Janice Lukes, Shawn Dobson, Ross Eadie, Jason Schreyer and Russ Wyatt, were first made public earlier this month after they were frustrated with what they described as the administration’s inadequate response to the Feb. 14 slaying of transit driver Jubal Fraser.
The administration is bringing a summary report of current safety initiatives to a public works meeting next week, where the councillors’ proposal will also be considered.
The councillors had said the ideas were gathered recently from a review of what’s being done on transit safety in other jurisdictions.
They noted that they can’t believe it’s taken Winnipeg Transit three months to compile a report detailing existing safety measures.
Leadership at the transit union has been frustrated with what they said was the failure of transit officials to consult with them on the report.
The report will be presented to the public works committee May 30.
In addition to the creation of a special transit police force, the councillors are proposing:
- The creation of a “safety first” policy for Winnipeg Transit.
- A zero-tolerance policy for fare evaders, with heavy fines for those who refuse to pay.
- A zero-tolerance policy for assaults on transit vehicles, with monthly assault reports to council.
- Implementation of a continuous transit safety awareness campaign.
- The creation of a council-appointed transit community advisory board.
- Revisions to the Transit director’s job description to focus on safety protocols and tying part of the director’s remuneration to customer service survey results.
Some of the measures suggested by the councillors, such as the safety awareness campaign, are already common practice for other transit authorities.
Only Vancouver has a dedicated transit police force.
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
