#downtownwatch

From time to time, I put on the red Downtown Watch uniform to get a better sense of what my Watch Ambassadors do on a daily basis. Recently, I had a personal experience with our Downtown Watch that left me not only humbled but also very much appreciative of their ability to manage the many challenges they encounter as well as how the public regards the Red Coats, our BIZ Watch Ambassadors. 

My morning started off being paired with Nelson and Rob, two young men who I believe are both destined to be RCMP and WPS officers.  I’m really proud that our Watch Program is a proven gateway to policing in Canada.

My Safety Director puts me on our toughest beat in our Downtown, Main and Higgins. My only dilemma so far is finding a large enough form fitting t-shirt that will allow me to blend in as a fit and athletic young Ambassador. We begin our walk visiting Portage Place and while we’re there we bump into two of the Winnipeg Police Services’ finest who are already making their presence felt early in the morning. 

It is an unfortunate reality, however, at the rear of Portage Place you will most likely find young people selling drugs. As I walk by the kids, I try to acknowledge them by saying hi, to which I receive a nod in return.  I remember feeling an odd sense of respect at that moment as each of us was there for a purpose. 

We then travel towards the local liquor store where we encounter more than a half dozen of people lining up to buy alcohol. Rob and Nelson know all of them, by first name – they know their stories, their challenges and their dreams.  They ask them to behave and have a good day. Rob tells me one of them is from the same reserve his family comes from and how his life has been nothing but despair and how our CHAT outreach workers have been trying for months to help him off the street and into addiction services.  He is not ready, drawn to the substance abuse seen daily on our downtown streets. 

We then walk towards a common place where youth hangout and my crew walk by and simply say to two very young girls “we are here for you if you need help.”  My Watch quickly scan their collective memories to see if they can identify any of these young girls who might have been reported missing. I’m convinced that my crew have a “spidey sense” only the local nosey neighbours could ever possess.

By 11 a.m. their presence is already felt on Ellice Avenue and Donald Street letting the public know that we are on watch.  We pop into a few businesses to say hello, ask questions and offer our support if we are needed. We walk through retailers giving nods to sales people and managers letting them know we care.  Feeling empowered now, I help a young woman with three kids with her groceries and cart, loading a taxi, telling them to have a great day. One child yells back “we are going to the beach, can you come with us”.  Everywhere my crew goes they are offered water, coffee, something to eat or a simple wave.  My BIZ members know their value and are appreciative.  About sixty minutes later we arrive to the outer edge of their beat, Higgins and Main.  This is our East Hasting, only worse because no one really cares.

We approach a woman on the ground. Her name is Mary.  We had seen Mary earlier that day waiting at a bus stop after purchasing alcohol from the same liquor store we had visited. She is struggling to breathe. Rob bends down on the sidewalk where she lies, and urgently says “Mary, can you hear me.”  No response, she is inebriated beyond consciousness. He then gently roles her over so she can breathe and calls 911.  Fire Paramedics arrive within five minutes and take her to an emergency room. They thank us, and we move on. One life saved, but not really.

As we walk down Main Street, we bump into a local WPS foot patrol.  Exchange notes over a quick coffee, talk politics and solutions to the areas problems.  Despite the challenges, my team is filled with knowledge and ideas to improve our downtown, the same ideas and solutions the professional community is advocating for. 

As we walk closer to Portage Avenue I see our other two Watch units who have also made their rounds in the other districts of our Downtown and I wonder if they too have had similar experiences – helping people, talking to those less advantaged, keeping an eye on the vulnerable and making the public feel safer.

I have to tell you, this is not the first time I have put on the red uniform.  I know the problems of our downtown.

What I appreciated most is how my Watch Ambassadors want to share their stories, their fears, ideas and successes with me.  The truth is that I draw my strength and conviction from them, who so desperately want to make a difference and are.  This reality check is what gives me the courage to have tough conversations with stakeholders.

My Watch Ambassadors are modern day superheroes. The public our members and myself very much appreciate what they do every day.