Winnipeg Police Service Chief Devon Clunis said officers made the right call in issuing a police escort to ensure an NHL team made it to MTS Centre on time for Tuesday's game.

Clunis told the Winnipeg Police Board Friday that the team, which was delayed due to mechanical issues that delayed a flight, paid for the service. It also required no police overtime to provide and occurred at a time when resources were available, said Clunis.

"We are a city on the world stage. The NHL is a significant player. If we were not able to assist them to have the game occur on time for our citizens, for the national audience, I am certain we would have had a black eye in terms of the police service, the City of Winnipeg. And so it's important we make a decision like this that we're thinking about the broad scope impact," Clunis told reporters after the meeting. "I thought it was the right decision for our city, for our citizens and it was at absolutely no cost to the city whatsoever."

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) questioned the move during the meeting, asking if it in any way stretched further the high demand for police resources.

But Clunis said that wasn't the case. And Const. Jason Michalyshen said the escort did address several safety concerns, beyond merely upsetting local hockey fans.
Michalyshen said NHL teams typically arrive hours in advance of a game to avoid backing up buses around MTS Centre as masses of fans flock to the site on foot and by vehicle.

"Public safety is our highest priority... That's what we accomplished," said Michalyshen. "Resources were available to assist the Ottawa Senators. We would hope other law enforcement agencies would assist Winnipeg Jets if they found themselves in a similar situation in their jurisdiction."

 

 

***If this is big news in Winnipeg, we're doing pretty good as a city.

Eadie is just... he's a joke.  Gotta say, the second i saw his name there, i stopped reading cuz the guy is just such a joke. 

A much better headline for Winnipeg would be "Sens' Arrive Late, Stuck In Traffic, Miss Game, 15,000 people angry, City embarrassed"

 

Dummys

It's interesting that this article has Eadie questioning it.  The one I read this morning had Scott Gillingham (St.James/Brooklands) asking the same questions.

 

 

 

The incident had Coun. Scott Gillingham, who chairs the police board, raising questions about who should get police escorts.

Eadie is just... he really has no clue about anything, I've listened and watched those city hall debates at times and Eadie is just so out to lunch it's insane, not sure how he got re-elected... Must not have had much competition cuz the guy is a joke, If i lived in his riding, I'd be embarrassed. 

 

It's interesting that this article has Eadie questioning it.  The one I read this morning had Scott Gillingham (St.James/Brooklands) asking the same questions.

 

 

 

The incident had Coun. Scott Gillingham, who chairs the police board, raising questions about who should get police escorts.

 

If this idiot was doing his job and not looking to get is name in the paper, he would have called the Chief and asked.  He chairs the police board and has to ask questions in the media?  That's awful.  Pick up the phone, you moron, ask your question and voila.  Problem solved.

 

Can you imagine?  Some citizen asked him, Im sure and his reply was "I dont know.  But Im going to call the Winnipeg Sun and demand answers".  lol  Not qualified for his position.

Senators called True North looking for help, police escort is provided to get buses threw rush hour traffic, Senators will be billed, why is this a story. I tell you why because we have a bunch of fools running this city, these morons couldn't run a water stand in the desert. Hey Eadie it's called a professional courtesy stick to snow clearing and garbage pick up.

Weak sauce.... I've seen police escorts plenty of times outside on portage for groups of 5 or less people protesting down the road....