Rebate helps businesses, but larger issue remains

“We had cameras, we had all the security measures, but nothing could be done … and the next week it was a bigger theft. For the same person to come again shows how bold they’ve become.”

­— Winnipeg Coffee Culture owner Bibban Rekhi

A new $10-million security rebate announced by the Kinew government last week has been hailed by business owners as a welcome step to help offset costs from theft and vandalism.

The rebate, which allows eligible businesses to receive up to $2,500 per location for security-related expenses, is retroactive to Aug. 23, 2024, and applies to items ranging from alarm systems and cameras to repairs for smashed windows, damaged doors and graffiti removal.

In recent months, businesses in both Winnipeg and the Brandon area have been hit by a rash of armed robberies and break-ins.

Winnipeg police recently arrested a man in connection with a series of 22 arsons, break-ins and property damage at various businesses and MLA constituency offices. And there have been several instances where businesses report frequent incidents, with some business owners filing dozens of police reports.

Outside of Winnipeg, Brandon police announced last month the conclusion of an investigation into seven different armed robberies in Brandon and Souris between Nov. 7 and Nov. 20, with police identifying a 39-year-old suspect who is now facing 34 new charges, including armed robbery, disguise with intent and robbery with a firearm, among others.

Also on Nov. 14, a group of four people wearing masks broke into downtown Brandon bakery Chez Angela. The four individuals, who were wearing masks, caused thousands of dollars in damage to the business. Only two weeks earlier, someone shattered the front window of the business by throwing a sign at it.

Chez Angela co-owner James Chambers says the government’s rebate is definitely needed for crime-affected businesses.

“I think it’s a great initiative, especially after what we’ve just gone through in Brandon with an increased number of break-ins, thefts and even armed robbery,” Chambers said. “Having that support from the province is really positive.”

Chez Angela recently installed video cameras and other security tools, which Chambers said helped police quickly identify suspects after the recent vandalism and theft. The rebate program will help them to install additional security measures to deal with future incidents.

Downtown restaurant owner Claudia Leung of Tastee’s Brunch and Catering agreed with Chambers, saying that any help the province can offer will help the business invest in practical safety upgrades.

“As a restaurant owner downtown, safety is a big concern,” she said.

The province should certainly be lauded for offering some financial aid for affected businesses. Even though the amount offered is limited per business, it’s still considered one of the best programs of its kind in the country.

Unfortunately, such financial aid is little more than a Band-Aid for a far larger problem — the stubbornly high incidents of vandalism and robberies in the province. Last August, federal Crime Severity Index numbers for Brandon showed a 17 per cent increase in robberies in 2024 compared to the year prior, though thankfully weapons-related calls went down by nearly seven per cent.

While the crime rate has trended down for two straight years in Winnipeg, Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers said last May that there’s still too much crime in Winnipeg, “and there’s more work to do.”

For folks like Bibban Rekhi, who says a thief caused $16,000 in damage and other losses to her Winnipeg-based coffee shop during two break-ins a week apart, the rebate will offer no help as those incidents occurred before the retroactive cutoff point for the program. But even if she was eligible, security cameras offered little help, due to the brazen nature of the thefts.

Chambers isn’t wrong to point out that government security investments must be paired with stronger social supports, so that the justice system has fewer repeat offenders coming before the courts. And that means doing more than having our political leaders talking endlessly about bail reform. We need fewer people turning to crime in the first place.

Unfortunately, as the cost of everything from rent and food continues to rise, and more and more people have a difficult time making ends meet, our lawmakers and police officers will have an uphill battle ahead.