Winnipeg Safety

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Winnipeg is relatively safe in comparison to many large cities in North America. By Canadian standards, the city has a moderately high crime rate though much crime is gang or alcohol related and rarely involves tourists who exercise the same degree of caution they would in any other urban centre. Areas where higher degree of caution is advised at night include areas north of City Hall on Main Street and the area surrounding Central Park.

Panhandlers are less numerous in Winnipeg compared to cities like Vancouver and they are very seldom aggressive, however displays of obvious wealth such as jewellery and expensive digital cameras should be kept to a minimum. It is best to acknowledge panhandlers but at the same time to keep walking.

Winnipeg has a history of fairly substantial auto theft and "smash and grab" problem, though the problem has been reduced in recent years. However, the auto theft is still at 327% that of the national average. As in any city, common sense should prevail. Never leave a vehicle unlocked and under no circumstances should any object be left in the car interior where it can be seen, no matter what the value (includes CD's, gloves, clothing, tools, etc). Keep all items in the trunk. Most importantly, never leave any coins, no matter what the amount in your ashtray or console. An individual with drugs or alcohol dependency will not hesitate to smash a car window even for less than $1.

If you rent a vehicle, ensure with your rental agency that it is equipped with an immobilizer. If you drive your own vehicle here, Manitoba Public Insurance offers a most-at-risk vehicle assessment www.mpi.mb.ca/MAR/Immobilizer123.aspx. While this is aimed at those intending to register vehicles in Manitoba, tourists may use this to consider if their vehicle is at an elevated risk for theft. Out of province tourists may also consult with their automobile insurance agent.

• www.mpi.mb.ca/MAR/Immobilizer123.aspx