Steinbach receiving more money for policing funding from Manitoba government

The City of Steinbach is receiving $780,000 from the provincial government to put into their funding for policing.

The Manitoba government announced in Ste. Anne on Monday an increase of $13.7 million across the province in funding to help cover rising policing costs due to increased crime and inflation to help support the work of law enforcement.

Mayor Earl Funk says the extra funding will free up money that would normally come out of general operations to go into policing. 

“It's not like we're going to hire extra police officers now. This is going to go to the costs that are already there. It's going to help offset, so it just frees up money which is very exciting.” 

He says this extra money will help city council and city staff get everything done that has to be done. 

“Especially at a time when there's such an increase in construction costs. This money is sent out at a very timely time because it's going to help and secure that the projects that are to go ahead will go ahead.” 

Funk says presently, they receive roughly $3 million from the province for top-up funding, and $1.8 million of that currently goes into the policing fund.

The $780,000 recieved for top-up for policing from the province will be added to that $1.8 million.

“And then we will still be offsetting that with the general revenue, but it'll take less from general revenue to make the difference.” 

He notes that Staff Sergeant Guy Landreville and Sergeant Joanne Ryll are working hand in hand with Ste. Anne to improve policing in our region. 

“I think these kinds of monies that as they free up from the province can actually enhance crime prevention and can enhance our policing in our communities, and that's what's exciting about announcements like this.”