Seniors Forum, every Oct 1st, 2pm at Pat Porter
We love Steinbach’s car, motorcycle and youth culture. Residents deserve meetups and more recreation options. Let’s keep the fun, the passion and the engines, while making sure our roads stay safe for everyone
Safety is one of the most basic things residents expect from their community. As Steinbach grows, our safety needs grow with it. Residents have raised concerns about some unsafe racing, excessive noise, reckless driving by few, localized theft and break-ins, vandalism, property damage and the feeling that some areas need more visible safety presence.
These concerns deserve to be heard, but they also deserve practical, evidence-based solutions. I don't believe Steinbach is an unsafe city. I believe a growing city should continuously review whether its safety resources, coordination and prevention measures are keeping pace with growth.
Vehicle racing and excessive engine noise have become recurring quality-of-life concerns for some residents, particularly where motorcycles, cars and other vehicles are being driven aggressively. This is not simply about noise. Speeding and reckless driving can put drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users at risk. Data emphasizes that dangerous driving behaviours are linked to serious injuries and fatalities.
My approach would be balanced: Stronger enforcement against dangerous driving, Better identification of recurring problem locations and times, Continued RCMP traffic enforcement, Consideration of temporary/mobile safety cameras where appropriate, Better communication between residents, the City and RCMP, More recreational opportunities for youth and young adults, Practical approaches to excessive noise and quality-of-life concerns
People should be able to enjoy their vehicles responsibly while residents should also be able to enjoy peace, safety and quality of life.
Recent incidents have also reminded us that community safety includes protecting property and preserving the places that make Steinbach special. Recently, the City reported that six commemorative bronze plaques had been stolen from parks, gardens and City Hall. The thefts were believed to be connected to scrap-metal theft. The City has also dealt with concerns about theft and vandalism around construction areas, library and certain areas.
These incidents may appear small individually, but they affect residents' sense of security and can cost the community money to repair or replace. I support practical measures such as: Better lighting and visibility where appropriate, Cameras or temporary camera trailers in problem areas, Improved coordination between City staff, Community Safety Officers, private security and RCMP, Community reporting and awareness, Targeted prevention around construction sites and vulnerable public assets, Reviewing whether security-related investments are producing measurable results
My platform already proposes Mobile Safety Camera Trailers as a potentially low-cost tool that could be deployed temporarily in problem areas to gather information and support safety initiatives.
Steinbach already has a combination of RCMP policing, Community Safety Officers, City by-law enforcement and other community safety resources.
The question is whether these resources are sufficient and appropriately coordinated for a city that continues to grow.
The City's 2026 financial plan identifies an authorized complement of 18 RCMP officers, while the City has also budgeted for Community Services Officers responsible for municipal by-law functions.
Importantly, City records show that actual RCMP staffing has been below the authorized complement in recent years. A 2025 City report documented actual Steinbach detachment strength ranging from about 13.2 to 15.4 officers against an authorized complement of 17–18 during the previous four fiscal years.
The issue isn't necessarily that people aren't working hard. The issue is whether the resources available to the community are keeping pace with the demands of a growing city.
Steinbach has already taken an important step by developing a Community Safety & Well-being Plan, finalized in early 2026.
The plan was developed using community engagement, surveys, existing data and input from organizations including the City, RCMP, Fire Department, Manitoba Justice, Southern Health, Hanover School Division, local non-profits and other community organizations.
The plan identifies community safety and policing as a priority and calls for increased law-enforcement presence/patrols, crime prevention and improved training for responding to mental-health and domestic/intimate-partner-violence situations. Its action plan includes advocating for more RCMP presence and more Community Safety Officers.
I believe this is a strong foundation. Now implementation and coordination are the key.
New transportation options are becoming more common, particularly among younger residents. I support innovation and practical transportation choices—but new mobility also needs clear safety expectations.
Manitoba has now legislated a framework for low-powered personal electric vehicles, including electric kick-scooters and similar devices. The legislation establishes requirements such as vehicle specifications, operating rules and mandatory helmets.
There may still be an important local role for Steinbach in areas within municipal authority. For example, Morden recently amended its traffic by-law to establish local rules for e-bikes, e-scooters and other personal electric vehicles, including helmet requirements, one rider, operating-location rules, lighting and compliance with traffic controls.
I would like Steinbach to examine whether similar local guidance or by-law measures could improve clarity and safety for riders, pedestrians and drivers, while remaining consistent with provincial law.
Before proposing specific rules, we should hear from: Road-safety professionals, Driving-school instructors, RCMP, City staff, MPI, Active-transportation users, Youth and families, Seniors and pedestrians
I also want to better understand the insurance implications when an e-scooter, e-bike or other personal electric vehicle is involved in a collision. I am hoping to reach out to a driving school instructor and asking MPI for clear information residents can understand.
As Steinbach continues to grow, I understand why some residents are beginning to ask whether the community should eventually consider its own municipal police service.I don't believe this is something we should rush into. A municipal police service would involve major questions about cost, staffing, governance, training, infrastructure, accountability and long-term sustainability.
For now, my priority is more practical, Make the existing system work as effectively as possible.
That means: Advocate for appropriate RCMP resources, Strengthen Community Safety Officer resources where justified, Improve coordination between City and RCMP, Use technology and targeted security measures where appropriate, Implement the City's Community Safety & Well-being Plan, Measure what is working, Keep reviewing future policing options as Steinbach grows
As our current policing arrangements evolve over the longer term, I believe Council should keep the conversation open and examine the options based on evidence, service needs and affordability—not ideology.
Safety doesn't have a single department or a single solution. A councillor cannot personally enforce the law or replace police officers. But a councillor can keep asking questions, studying information, following up and bringing people together. If elected, I want to dedicate additional time toward: Listening to residents experiencing safety concerns, Understanding crime, traffic and community-safety information, Following the implementation of Steinbach's Community Safety & Well-being Plan, Advocating for appropriate policing and Community Safety Officer resources, Coordinating with RCMP, City staff, provincial partners and community organizations, Exploring practical tools such as mobile safety cameras and targeted prevention, Learning from other Manitoba communities about what works, Reviewing longer-term policing options as our city continues to grow.