Crime, drugs in Winnipeg's West End focus of police public forum

A public crime forumis set to tackle problems afflicting Winnipeg's West End problems police say are fuelled by methamphetamine.

Meth, being cheap and easily available, "has significantly changed the landscape of Winnipeg,"saidInsp. Max Waddell of the Winnipeg Police Service's organized crime unit.

But it has also heightened the challenges facing the public and police in that it makes people extremely unpredictable.

"It causes a state of psychosis that makes people act in erratic and bizarre ways," Waddell said.

"Itsaddictive cycle is very powerful, and there are a number of individuals that are impacted by it in the City of Winnipeg right now."

The forum, hosted by thepolice serviceat Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, was planned a long time ago but comes on the heels of Sunday's violent home invasion that left17-year-old JaimeAdaoJr. dead.

A 29-year-old man accused of attacking the teen inside the McGee Street house was shot on site by police and remains in hospital in critical condition.

We need to collectively work together to share information and resources and find solutions to the challenges. By coming out tonight that's exactly what we hope to achieve.- Insp. MaxWaddell

"It's a very unfortunate and tragic incident that [happened] in their neighbourhood and we want everyone to know that the Winnipeg Police Service is here to support them in every way and shape possible," Waddell said.

A 25-year member of the police force, he can't recall an incident in the city like that, where the attack was apparently completely random.

"It is so rare and for that family, I'm sure, it is beyond reality," he said. "Usually when we have someone going into a residenceit's a targeted incident where they're looking fordrugs or property.

"We don't know whythis individual went in. We're as shocked and upset as the community is."

Police have not said whether a methpsychosis was a factor in the deadly assault on Adao.

The incident underscores the importance of Thursday's forum, for the community and police to come together to find ways to address crime, including addictions and gang issues, Waddellsaid.

"The community needs to come together. The police and other resourceswe can't do this alone," he said.

"We need to collectively work together to share information and resources and find solutions to the challenges. By coming out tonight that's exactly what we hope to achieve."

"We want to hear and engage with the people to create plans."

Ethnically diverse

The ethnically-diverse West End home to more than 46,000 people and comprised of nine neighbourhoodsis bordered by Route 62(Osborne, Memorial, ColonyandBalmoral) to the east andSt. James Street on the west.

As the middle jurisdiction between north and south sections of the city, it seems to also be a meeting place for "a lot of terrible individuals" likedrug dealers and gang members who prey onnewcomers that settle there, attempting to luretheir youth into illicit activities, Waddell said.

Now add meth to the mix.

"The combination of those factorscause a lot of challengers for that neighbourhood," Waddell said.

Thursday's forum at the collegiate, 720Alverstone St., runs from 6 p.m. CT until 9 p.m. with presentations starting at 7 p.m.

Police Chief Danny Smyth and the Winnipeg Police Board will be in attendance along with representatives fromAddictions Foundation Manitoba and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Services.

Police drug experts will speak on methwhile a gang awareness presentation will focus on keeping kids from joining street gangs.