People call 911 for a neighbour in psychosis, a family member having a breakdown, or someone sleeping in a doorway. The default answer right now is almost always a police officer with a gun.
Winnipeggers want 911 to have the right people for the right situation. When someone is in a mental health crisis, we need to send a mental health expert. It’s safer for the person, smarter for the community, and we can free up the police to combat the real crime our community is facing.
The Local Guarantee asks candidates to commit to expanding 911 with a 4th public safety branch consisting of mental health and social workers to be dispatched when appropriate.
We need mobile crisis teams that can show up fast, day or night. If you are in crisis, the system should be designed to send the correct help on purpose.
The Local Guarantee asks candidates to send the right help. Tell the mayor, council, and municipal election candidates to commit to ensuring we can dispatching mental health and social workers when appropriate, and to keep our police where they are most valuable — on keeping Winnipeg safe.
CUPE Local 500 launched the Local Guarantee to bring forward a package deal for Winnipeg: safe water, reliable public services, community safety, and local jobs. These are the real issues in this year’s municipal election.
CUPE Local 500 representing over 5,000 members dedicated to public services, including Winnipeg city workers.
Please use the buttons below to share this page.
Thank you for helping us improve
Adjust the tone or theme of your draft (optional)