The latest statistics from the Winnipeg Police Service show that 2023 was a record-breaking year, and not in the way we’d hope. Police responded to over 783,000 calls for service, the highest number ever recorded in the city. That represents a 10 percent increase from the year before.

Well-being checks were once again the most common type of call, with more than 21,000 requests. This marks the fourth year in a row that these calls have topped the list. It highlights how deeply mental health issues are affecting our community.

Violent crime was also on the rise, increasing by just over 12 percent compared to 2022. While there were fewer homicides and sexual assaults, there was a noticeable increase in assaults and robberies. Youth-related offenses saw a significant jump as well, rising by more than 23 percent. The number of hate crimes also hit a record high, with 46 incidents reported.

All of this has put serious pressure on police resources. Even though more officers were added to the force, Winnipeg still has one of the lowest officer-to-population ratios in recent history. On some days, there were hundreds of calls waiting in the queue simply because there weren’t enough officers available to respond in time.

These statistics are about more than numbers. They reflect real challenges in our neighborhoods. That is why community-based crime prevention is more important than ever. Supporting mental health services, engaging with youth, and staying connected with each other can help make a real difference.

https://wps-statistical-report-2024-wpsgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/complement