Manitoba government adds another two months to effort to combat retail theft

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The Manitoba government is extending a temporary program aimed at fighting retail theft and violent crime in some areas of Winnipeg.

Premier Wab Kinew says another $774,000 will go to have the program continue through September and October.

The funding pays for overtime costs at the Winnipeg Police Service, so that officers can patrol areas prone to retail theft.

It was initially announced in May and was to expire at the end of this week, at a cost of roughly $1.1 million.

Brian Scharfstein, who owns a chain of footwear stores, says the extra police presence has boosted safety and made staff and customers feel more secure.

The NDP government says it is still looking at long-term options to reduce retail crime, and Kinew hinted that more permanent police funding is being considered.

“As we build the budget for next year, we are going to look at what works,” Kinew said Thursday.

“And clearly, we’ve been told from law enforcement, from the business community, from the average person walking around, saying that they feel safer.”

Winnipeg saw a series of high-profile crimes at retail outlets this year, including a case where three workers at a family-run grocery store were assaulted and injured. A convenience store robbery in May involved a suspect discharging bear spray against a worker and two customers.