Winnipeg advocate calls for empathy following theft of donation box at Tim Hortons – Winnipeg | 24CA News
It occurred in a matter of seconds. A donation field set as much as assist ship underserved youth to camp was stolen from a Tim Hortons in Bridgwater Centre in Winnipeg.
A witness to the incident mentioned it was stunning to see one thing so brazen in his neighbourhood — an space he believed was protected. He took a video of the incident, which confirmed a girl yanking the field off the counter earlier than making her manner by way of the entrance doorways on May 14.
Global News isn’t figuring out the witness who offered the footage, on account of security considerations.
“People were incredulous and just in awe. The entire store kind of went quiet for a second when people realized what was happening. And nobody wants to get involved because there might be repercussions,” mentioned Kehler.
“This is something you don’t really experience in this area.”
He additional mentioned that he hoped such incidents wouldn’t happen or happen in different components of town.
Winnipeg Police Service mentioned they had been investigating the theft however famous no arrests had been made. Tim Hortons didn’t reply to requests for a remark.
More empathy wanted: advocate
Kate Kehler, government director with the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, mentioned that whereas one thing like this might go away bystanders shocked, it is very important go away room for empathy for these in want of assist.
“Desperate people do desperate things,” mentioned Kehler. “Governments who have the money need to actually start addressing poverty meaningfully in Manitoba again.”
As of December, property crimes in Bridgwater Centre had been up by almost 71 per cent, in comparison with the yr earlier than. The neighbourhood is amongst an inventory of many who have skilled huge jumps in crime since 2021 — numbers which additionally surpass pre-pandemic ranges.
The Province of Manitoba has the best little one and household poverty charges. Kehler mentioned assist to deal with addictions and earnings disparity would assist curb poverty-related crimes.
— with information from Global’s Rosanna Hempel
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
