Winnipeg | Downtown | Portage Place | Redevelopment | U/C

[wags_in_the_peg]

difference of opinion here... just because no one has "mugged me" and I'm a 53 yr old male who can handle his own, doesnt mean I dont think it's safe or not. I would want my wife or daughter to walk around alone. I see drugged out people daily around Exchnage or Portage ave. Also maybe it's not "safety" but disgusting behaviour, 🞵🞵🞵🞵 and piss on the side of building, screaming while walking the street, etc. it's not desirable to be honest

[Mr Tall Forehead]

There are drugged up people in the Unicity, KP and Grant Park parking lots now. This isn’t just a downtown and Exchange problem. Something needs to be done to solve this major social issue but abandoning downtown is probably not high on the list.

[pegcityboy]

My wife and I walk from our house to Seabears and concerts at Canada Life Centre ( about 50-55 minute walk) and besides the odd person asking for money have encountered no problems at all in the last 5 years .

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

difference of opinion here... just because no one has "mugged me" and I'm a 53 yr old male who can handle his own, doesnt mean I dont think it's safe or not. I would want my wife or daughter to walk around alone. I see drugged out people daily around Exchnage or Portage ave. Also maybe it's not "safety" but disgusting behaviour, 🞵🞵🞵🞵 and piss on the side of building, screaming while walking the street, etc. it's not desirable to be honest

When is the last time a person in this condition tried to abduct or 🞵🞵🞵🞵 a young woman? My guess is either never or once in 10 years.

People's perception of crime is far worse than actual crime. My guess is your daughter is far more likely to be 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 assaulted at a bar or nightclub.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by pegcityboy

My wife and I walk from our house to Seabears and concerts at Canada Life Centre ( about 50-55 minute walk) and besides the odd person asking for money have encountered no problems at all in the last 5 years .

Too many prudish people being traumatized when they witness a couple of homeless people making noise in a bus shelter. Grow some balls, ppl.

Or better yet, pressure the Government to enact a housing first initiative, by building enough subsidized housing units to eradicate the problem by up to 90%.

[bussche]

My wife takes the bus from the West End to the Exchange every day. She walks all over the area on her lunch. She is not afraid, nor do I fear for her safety.

We walk our 6 year old daughter to and from school everyday, we are not afraid for her safety.

We regularly walk to the McDonald's at Portage and Sherbrook and dine in. Again, we are not afraid for our safety.

People's perception of the area and the reality of the area are very different. There are absolutely people struggling with homeless and addiction. 99.9% of the time they are not dangerous, not to anyone but themselves anyways.

I am 1000x more concerned about my family or I being hit by a car, than I am of us being victims of violent crime. The motorists who commute down Ellice in the morning have come far closer to causing my daughter harm than any drug user.

[WinCitySparky]

I live in the west end by Arlington 12 years, it’s fine. Continue to invest in my house and neighbourhood, we have no desire to move even though we can easily afford it. The convenience is unparalleled and the neighbours are overwhelmingly good people.

[Sheepish]

As reported on CBC this afternoon. Reported crime in Winnipeg was down. Along Portage Ave corridor...UP 18%.
If the argument above has been that nothing needs to be done...all is great...well think again. It will be very interesting to see what happens when AC Park reopens. Similarly, will the rebuilt PP help change the energy on Portage Ave? Will it be a catalyst for other developments, as Jim Ludlow seems to hint?

[asher__jo]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Too many prudish people being traumatized when they witness a couple of homeless people making noise in a bus shelter. Grow some balls, ppl.

Or better yet, pressure the Government to enact a housing first initiative, by building enough subsidized housing units to eradicate the problem by up to 90%.

The irony of a housed person feeling unsafe by someone that has no home. Perspective

[drew]

Originally Posted by asher__jo

The irony of a housed person feeling unsafe by someone that has no home. Perspective

I am gonna need this translated into genX English please

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by drew

I am gonna need this translated into genX English please

“Man, get a load of this irony: some dude with a roof over his head and a fridge full of food is all freaked out and clutching his pearls because a homeless guy might be around. Like, perspective much? The guy with nothing is the big bad threat? Gimme a break.”

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by asher__jo

The irony of a housed person feeling unsafe by someone that has no home. Perspective

‘Homeless are not the issue, it’s the drugs addicts that are the problem.

[pspeid]

I think it was interesting that there were two reports on the CBC website about this issue. The first wrote almost exclusively about the stats showing crime to be down in the city, though it also prominently featured the alarming stat about "hate motivated crimes" being up 154%, the vast majority of these incidents comprised of graffiti and vandalism.

It wasn't until the later article (perhaps a re-write?) that the focus on the "Portage Ave. Corridor" came up.

Overall the drop in crime was a good news story, though one could be forgiven for believing, by glancing at the articles, that the city is rife with criminal activity.

I'm in no way trying to ignore that crimes have been committed or downplay people's suffering, but as many people have pointed out, the perception of the level crime in the downtown area seems to be stopping a significant number of people from using the downtown. It's great to read the positive personal experiences a lot of people have had.

[bussche]

Originally Posted by pspeid

I think it was interesting that there were two reports on the CBC website about this issue. The first wrote almost exclusively about the stats showing crime to be down in the city, though it also prominently featured the alarming stat about "hate motivated crimes" being up 154%, the vast majority of these incidents comprised of graffiti and vandalism.

It wasn't until the later article (perhaps a re-write?) that the focus on the "Portage Ave. Corridor" came up.

Overall the drop in crime was a good news story, though one could be forgiven for believing, by glancing at the articles, that the city is rife with criminal activity.

I'm in no way trying to ignore that crimes have been committed or downplay people's suffering, but as many people have pointed out, the perception of the level crime in the downtown area seems to be stopping a significant number of people from using the downtown. It's great to read the positive personal experiences a lot of people have had.

Agree 100%.

And because of the perception, we get calls for solutions that only address the perception and not the reality.

[drew]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

“Man, get a load of this irony: some dude with a roof over his head and a fridge full of food is all freaked out and clutching his pearls because a homeless guy might be around. Like, perspective much? The guy with nothing is the big bad threat? Gimme a break.”

thank you!

I just wanted to make sure my first reaction thinking this comment was stupid was correct. And it was.

As if the fact someone has a house or no house has any bearing on whether or not said person can be considered threatening. What kind of argument is this?

Then there was this news conference a few days ago with homelessness advocates up in arms that new City bylaws make most of the City off limits for encampments. Yeah, that's kind of the point.

This encampments aren't full of bearded kind eyed senior men down on their luck, or a family unable to put a roof over their kids heads. They are full of addicts, drug paraphernalia, garbage, and innumerable items stolen from properties around the City.

[bussche]

Originally Posted by drew

thank you!

I just wanted to make sure my first reaction thinking this comment was stupid was correct. And it was.

As if the fact someone has a house or no house has any bearing on whether or not said person can be considered threatening. What kind of argument is this?

Then there was this news conference a few days ago with homelessness advocates up in arms that new City bylaws make most of the City off limits for encampments. Yeah, that's kind of the point.

This encampments aren't full of bearded kind eyed senior men down on their luck, or a family unable to put a roof over their kids heads. They are full of addicts, drug paraphernalia, garbage, and innumerable items stolen from properties around the City.

This is exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about, addressing the perception.

1. Make setting up camp anywhere illegal.
2. Homeless people magically disappear (because they aren't in obvious places anymore.)
3. People feel safer because they don't see homeless encampments.
4. Mission Accomplished!

[Biff]

^Finally, someone gets it.

We need to make the 949,000 out of 950,000 other people in this city feel safer.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by drew

thank you!

I just wanted to make sure my first reaction thinking this comment was stupid was correct. And it was.

As if the fact someone has a house or no house has any bearing on whether or not said person can be considered threatening. What kind of argument is this?

Then there was this news conference a few days ago with homelessness advocates up in arms that new City bylaws make most of the City off limits for encampments. Yeah, that's kind of the point.

This encampments aren't full of bearded kind eyed senior men down on their luck, or a family unable to put a roof over their kids heads. They are full of addicts, drug paraphernalia, garbage, and innumerable items stolen from properties around the City.

I have to agree that the way some agencies like to characterize residents of encampments as modern day "Jean Valjean"s doesn't help the situation at all. I support helping people find appropriate housing and supports, but it can be done without offering people a persona that excuses their behaviour. I'm not talking about condemnation. I think that just makes most people dig in their heels and double-down on their bad choices. I'm talking about letting people know their behaviour isn't appropriate, it won't be supported, but we will provide the help you need to turn the corner.

[Unbending]

I wonder how accurate the latest crime statistics are. I’ve read articles related to retail theft where police have told staff only to call if employees are in danger.

A recent example: “The worker said staff have contacted police, but were told only to call if employees are threatened” - WFP: Retail Claims another 7-11 in city May 19, 2026.

So if victims are now actively being discouraged to report crimes, I can’t imagine these crimes are being captured in crime statistics. There seems to be lots of other crimes that the police don’t appear to have time to deal with anymore and therefore are likely not being captured in statistics.

[Sheepish]

I feel like I'm in the twilight zone now. Do you see what is going on and who is on the sidewalks? Has the risk to personal safety been blown out of proportion? Sure. But make no mistake, the increase of homeless and the increase in use of brain deadening drugs has resulted in increased risk for businesses and to personal safety. Portage Ave is not an attractive place for business currently.
One of the arguments for opening Portage and Main was to generate more foot traffic at street level and foster more economic activity. So why is the Curry building still largely empty? There are no people and the risk is too great. Will the repurposed Portage PLace help? Hopefully. And is True North committed to more economic activity on Portage Ave. as Jim Ludlow hints? Hopefully. Will other developers follow suit? Will the HBC redevelopment be a positive influence? And will there be a commitment to safety and security for business and people? And yes that means dealing with vagrancy, public intoxication, and harassment. Will the new and improved AC park be safe and welcoming space for everyone, or will it again become a space for loitering, encampments and drug trade? How will the rapid transit plan for Portage Ave relate to street activity to support safety and growth. The answers to these questions, and how the process is guided, will be interesting and telling.
Just to be clear...I support a strong vibrant downtown. Walkable, safe, fun, interesting, with options for entertainment, shopping, dining, recreation and living.