‘The Lord will make a way’: Winnipeg church hopeful as crime grips city – Winnipeg

A warehouse door guards the main entrance to Pilgrim Baptist Church in Winnipeg’s South Point Douglas neighborhood. It is one of many security measures required.

‘We replaced all the windows here with unbreakable glass, and we installed a fence at the back. We need to get our air conditioner repaired again, but we’re just not sure where we want to put it now, so that’s up in the air,” said Anthony Tynes, a deacon at the church, who says copper was stolen. of the AC unit several times.

“We have a shut-off valve for our outside water. We used to just turn off the tap, but they figured out how to turn it on… and sometimes the water would keep running for a day or two, so of course our water bill would skyrocket.”

Municipal cars have also been broken into and had walls painted on them, the deacon said. Although it has cost thousands of dollars, it has been a cost in other areas as well.

“It’s always a concern of the people. That’s probably one of the reasons why the congregation is not where it should be,” Tynes said, noting that the congregation has dwindled over the years.

The church is not alone in its experiences with crime.

Recently, the city has been plagued by what police have called a “cluster” of crime, with two carjackings, two assaults, a stabbing and a shooting all having occurred since October 25.

However, Inspector Helen Peters of the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) says the agreements end at the right time.

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“There were a few of those (incidents) that happened downtown, but half of them actually happened up north. So we don’t see a really focused, small area where they’re happening,” she said.

These types of spikes have happened before and the WPS is monitoring them.

“It’s something we’re really focused on, it’s something we’re aware of,” Peters said, ordering the crowd to stay alert.

“We can only take action based on the information we receive. So one of the most important things people can do for us is give us the information that allows us to make strategic decisions as we think about keeping our community safe.”

She said some ways to stay safe include walking with other people, staying in well-lit areas and making eye contact with those around you for better situational awareness.

Kevin Walker, executive director of the Bear Clan, said safety is always a concern throughout the city, and many root causes must be addressed to provide a solution.

“Poverty creates many needs. You know, desperate times, desperate measures. I think we need to work together to curb some of the problems that have existed for a long time. Mental health and other things,” he said.

But understanding the root causes reveals another danger: the stigmatization of vulnerable people.

Walker pleaded with Winnipeggers, asking them not to be quick to make assumptions about people after a spike in violence.

“That’s part of the problem with some of the issues some of our unhoused family members are having. You know, they’re immediately assessed before they’re even spoken to,” he said.

“Don’t be so judgmental about certain situations people find themselves in. We sometimes don’t understand what people went through to get them to that point. So if people can just act with good intentions and a little kindness, I think that’s a start… Spread the love, as they say.”

Tynes said the congregation has met some people through outreach who may even have had something to do with the damage to their church.

‘They’re not as bad as a lot of people think they are. You know, you have to understand their situation too,” he said.

So while she counts the costs, the church continues.

“God is obviously not ready to close our doors yet,” Tyne said. “The Lord will make a way one way or another.”

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