KLEIN: A wake-up call for Winnipeg, Starbucks closure signals a deeper issue

The recent announcement that Starbucks will be temporarily closing its Osborne location due to staff safety concerns is a glaring indicator of a much deeper societal issue. It's not just about a coffee shop; it's about the alarming state of public safety in our city — a problem that is beginning to have real and costly consequences for all of us.

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This isn't an isolated incident. Just take a stroll near Polo Park Mall, and you'll hear about the rampant thefts that plague businesses like Home Depot, which reportedly suffers more thefts than most other locations in North America. It's evident that crime is not just a buzzword used during election campaigns but a palpable threat that is already costing us all more at the checkout lines.

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Over the last decade, Winnipeg has seen a worrying uptick in violent crime rates. In 1999, the city was patrolled by 27 cars per shift. Fast forward 25 years, despite significant increases in both population and geographical size, only 28 patrol cars are on duty per shift. This stark number is not just a statistic; it is a testament to the inadequate response of our local and federal governments to the growing needs of our community.

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The approach of left-wing groups, who often downplay the necessity of rigorous law enforcement and accountability for criminals, is failing our city. This ideology does not make our streets safer; rather, it emboldens those who seek to do harm by shifting the blame away from perpetrators and onto those tasked with maintaining order. This is not a sustainable model for public safety.

It is essential to understand that a society without robust law enforcement is a society on the brink of chaos. Police officers, who are consistently scrutinized and held to high standards, need the support of our legislative bodies to effectively do their jobs. Criminals, on the other hand, seem to receive endless excuses for their actions. This imbalance creates a dangerous precedent and fosters an environment where unlawful behaviour is not adequately punished.

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Accountability is the bedrock of any functioning society. For centuries, the principle that there must be a reaction to every action has governed civilizations, allowing for the development of laws and regulations that maintain order and protect citizens. However, with the current trajectory of our city's leadership, both provincially and federally, we are inching closer to anarchy.

The closure of Starbucks on Corydon is a symptom of a much larger disease — it's a signal that businesses, big and small, are losing faith in our ability to provide a safe environment. This is catastrophic not only for business owners but for every Winnipeg resident. Jobs are lost, neighbourhood vibrancy diminishes, and our city's reputation on the national stage is tarnished.

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We must address this issue head-on. It is time for all levels of government to prioritize public safety genuinely. We need more than just an incremental increase in patrol cars, we need a comprehensive strategy that includes enhanced policing, community engagement, and a judiciary system that holds offenders accountable. More importantly, we need leaders who are willing to acknowledge the severity of this crisis and take decisive action to combat it.

If we continue to ignore these warning signs, we risk seeing more businesses follow in Starbucks' footsteps, leaving our once-thriving neighbourhoods in decline. It's time for a change, and it needs to happen now. Public safety must be our top priority, not just in words, but in real, actionable policies that will restore Winnipeg to a city where businesses flourish and citizens feel safe.

— Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and a former Winnipeg Sun publisher.

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