FURTHER DIALOGUE RE SAFETY OF NEXT CRITICAL MASS RIDE JUNE 30TH

[Gerbasi, Jenny]

Dear Critical Mass Riders and Supporters,

 

Councillor Benham and I have had a meeting with the Police in follow up to the meeting on June 16^th at the University of Winnipeg.  As promised by Inspector Boyd Campbell, they have relayed to us the police response to concerns about safety in the June 30^th ride and future rides.

 

 

It was stated that the police normally like to meet with the organizers of events before any political protest/events but because CM is leaderless they have asked Councillor Benham and myself to communicate with you through email.  The police offered that If members of the group  would like to chose  representatives to meet directly with police any time before the June 30^th rally they would be more than willing to do this.  Please let me know and it can be arranged.

 

 

I will outline below the statements made by the police at today’s meeting about the approach to the next CM rally:

 

 

1. The intention is to be non-confrontational

 

2. The hope is to support the cyclists in getting their message out in a safe manner

 

3. Intersections:  The police would prefer to handle stopping traffic at major intersections such as Portage Avenue but would be willing to leave “corking”       to the cyclists on most other intersections if that is what cyclists prefer.

 

4. The parade permit is a non-issue and not expected.

 

5. One of the most challenging aspects of the CM ride for police is that they don’t know where the ride is going in terms of a route. It was explained to the police that part of the CM approach is to not arrange a specific route in advance of the ride.   The police said that the more they know about the route…the more they can and will decrease police presence.  They also said that if they know the route …they will definitely allow CM to take over all the lanes going in a certain direction.   The police indicated some options for CM to consider:

 

1. Determine in advance of the ride a route that will be followed…this can be a route of CM’s choice. 
2. Determine  in advance a start and an end to the ride/ or boundaries within the ride will occur…i.e. The Exchange district
3. Provide no information as to where the ride will go

 

The police indicated that the more they know about the route of the ride, the less police presence will be there.  They say they wish to minimize police presence as much as possible.

 

 

Feedback from Critical Mass riders or supporters is much appreciated:  send to jger...@winnipeg.ca

 

I look forward to a safe ride on June 30^th!

 

In peace

 

Jenny Gerbasi