Exchange Patrol emphasizes the need for students to be aware of their surroundings
By: Zoé Buissé
Boarded windows and broken glass have become a common sight for people working, living and studying in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.
On Jan. 31, Brian Burke, 56, was shocked to see the shattered front door at 246 McDermot Avenue, a commercial building home to multiple small businesses in the Exchange District. A brick was lying on the ground nearby.
“This is the third time in a span of two months,” said Burke, the building’s caretaker. “It’s discouraging.”
The building’s front window is still covered with plywood from a previous break-in attempt.
The Winnipeg Police Service’s CrimeMaps, an interactive map that provides statistical crime data in Winnipeg, indicated 703 reported incidents in the Exchange District in 2023. Among these incidents, 552 were property-related, while 117 were categorized as violent cases.
Violent crimes include assault, robbery, homicide, extortion and kidnapping, according to the WPS 2022 Statistical Report.
Amid the higher crime rates, some Red River College Polytechnic students say they feel unsafe around the Exchange District Campus (EDC).
Olasubomi Kaka, a 20-year-old IT Operations student, said she’s primarily concerned about harassment in the area. Kaka describes her overall sense of safety in the Exchange District as “medium,” recalling an incident at her bus stop where a person was yelling and cursing at her.
“It was really scary at first, but I’m used to it now,” said Kaka.
Since then, Kaka has taken proactive steps to avoid trouble in her first year of attending school downtown.
“I don’t engage with sketchy people or make eye contact with them,” she said.
West-Alexander neighbourhood resident Jillian Barranda, 21, thinks being vigilant is the key to staying safe . She said she ensures she is always with a friend when walking to the bus stop.
On the other hand, culinary student William Earle, 28, expressed a different perspective on the Exchange District.
“I feel safe, but I’m also male,” Earle said. “During the day there are so many people around. If somebody were to mug me, just look in any direction and there’s a witness.”
To keep the streets secure, the Exchange Patrol handles concerns about safety in the Exchange District.
Connor Kolton, 22, a patrol member, emphasized the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings when walking in the area.
“I noticed a lot of people wear headphones on their way into school,” Kolton said. “That’s not always the best thing because there could be somebody yelling at you or something going on that you’re not fully aware of.”
Campus security offers Safe Walk and Safe Ride services to staff and students who feel uneasy about walking to their bus stop or car alone.
To book a Safe Walk or Safe Ride, students and staff can call 204-949-8305 or pick up a Safe Walk and Safe Ride phone across campus.
