Nancy Morris introduced our guest speaker for the evening.

 

Brian Chrupalo is the Board Chair for the Bear Clan Patrol Inc.. He is also a Winnipeg Police Sergeant, 27-year member and CFL referee. This is his second year as Board Chair. He has coordinated the start of the food program during the Covid-19 pandemic. Brian describes his work at the Bear Clan Patrol as fundraising, presentations and day to day operations, assisting and helping wherever he is required.

 

Brian introduced Alanna Gallant from the Bear Clan Patrol Inc. as well. Alanna is the Operations manager. She looks after the day to day operations of the organization. Alanna is their financial guru who keeps the organization running and transparent. She was also part of the structure that helped organize the food security hamper delivery program.

 

The Bear Clan Patrol was first formed in Winnipeg’s North End in 1992. At its peak during this time, they had about 200 volunteers. It was co-founded by two Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre workers -- Larry Morrissette and David Blacksmith. After several years, the volunteer safety group went on hiatus. But in July 2015 they returned to patrol the streets again. This came about after the death of Tina Fontaine with her body being found in the Red River in July of 2014.

 

The Patrol was formed by 12 people with a start-up budget of $900.00. Be aware that there are other groups out on the streets patrolling. The other group dresses in a more military look. Bear Clan Patrol members have a crest and wear reflective vests.

 

The concept behind the patrol is community people working with the community to provide personal security in the inner city in a non-threatening, non-violent and supportive way. The Patrol operates out of two locations: 584 Selkirk Ave. and 565 Selkirk Ave..

 

 Operate on a drop-in basis – No need to signup/register

– Arrive between 5:30pm – 6:00pm at any one location

– Breaks during walks

– Patrols are +18 (youth patrols every other Tuesday at North End Patrol.)

– All are welcome.

For general inquiries, please contact: Kevin Walker | 204.914.1708 or send us an email to        bearclanmb@hotmail.com 

 

-Youth Mock Patrol | 4:30pm to 6:30pm every other Tuesday.

  2.   West End Patrol | u of Winnipeg ‘The Hive’. | 6:00pm to 9:00pm Thursday & Friday

  3.    West Broadway Patrol | 195 Young St. | 6:00pm to 9:00pm Friday & Saturday

  4.   Point Douglas Patrol | Corner of Euclid and Luster Ave. | 2:00pm to 4:00pm Sundays

  5.   Elmwood neighbourhood

 

Currently there are well over 1500 men and women involved with the patrol on a volunteer basis. This is the largest group of its kind in Canada. There are 55 other communities in Canada that are running similar patrol programs based on the Bear Clan Patrol model.

 

 

In January of 2019 it became obvious that a Food Security Program was required in the communities that were patrolled by the Bear Clan. Food was collected from:

Originally, the food was set out and people from the community would bag up only what they needed. This did not allow for much in the way of social distancing due to the cramped quarters of the building. So, they decided to go mobile. The food would be separated and boxed up. Then drivers would deliver the hampers. Local residents have stated that if not for the food hampers being available, they would have to be ‘dumpster diving’ for meals.

 

 

The Bear Clan Patrol has been picking up used needles during their patrols since day one. First 18 needles, then 300, then 3,000, then 40,000, last year they picked up 140,000 in total. This year so far, they have picked up 100,000 needles from the streets. This is just a small portion of the new needles that have been handed out by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Last year 2,000,000 new needles were handed out to help curb diseases in the community.

 

While on patrol it is common to find weapons of all sorts and drugs as well. Two members of the Bear Clan Patrol were on a City of Winnipeg bus back in November of 2018 when they intervened to assist another rider that was being harassed by an unruly passenger. Matthew Shorting and Jonathan Meikle subdued the man and held him for police to arrive. Johnny Meikle realized after the fight that he had been stabbed in the thigh. The knife was not evident at the start of the interaction. While on a patrol you never know what you may come across.

 

The Bear Clan Patrol does not do security. The concept behind the patrol, is community people working with the community to provide personal security in the inner city in a non-threatening, non-violent and supportive way. Some Patrol members are trained to use AED’s and carry them on patrols.  Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are electronic devices used to restart a person's heart. The Winnipeg Police Service offers ‘Safety Sessions’ for volunteers. There are volunteers that work in crisis intervention as well. The Bear Clan Patrol will be present during various community events to help keep a watchful eye on events.

 

Last years budget was $600,000. Brian and others are busy applying for various grants for support all the time. They get grants from all three levels of government. Funding also comes through the Civil Forfeiture Grant.

 

The Food Security Hampers program was started with $75,000. They purchased food at discounted pricing. The first week there were 120 hampers distributed. The next week more than doubled to 300 hampers. Shortly they were handing out 300 hampers in a day. Now they have distributed 350 hampers before 6:00pm last Wednesday. Those 350 hampers will reach about 1,500 people. They will get the food on Monday, pack the boxes on Tuesday and deliver the hampers on Wednesday.

 

The Covid pandemic has disrupted the patrols. The group is trying to get the bike patrols operating again.

 

Q/A

 

1.-Nancy Morris questioned where they get all the food for the ever-increasing hampers?

A.- There are a number of companies that give dating out food and produce at the end of the day. Also purchase about $20,000 of product from funding.

 

2.-Chuck Crocker asked who gets the hampers?

A.-People living on the streets, see them and ask their names. Social media registration. Should be indigenous.

 

3.-Laura (online) asked how long does each hamper last?

A.-The size of the hamper will vary slightly due to the number of individuals known to receive that hamper. There are single & family hampers. The actual cost is ~$50 per average hamper. Food is purchased at wholesale prices.

 

4.-Lloyd Talbot asked if the Bear Clan structure is used elsewhere?

A.- Yes, it is. All over the country.

 

5.-Darvin Jasper wanted to know if there is any overlap with Winnipeg Harvest?

A.- Yes there is. When Harvest has an over abundance of food, they will share with the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.

Funding comes from INAC (Indian Northern Affairs Canada).

 

6.-Ed Thompson asked if there is a time when the need for these hampers will subside.

A.-No time in site as of now. They have just asked for another 8 weeks of funding for the food hampers.

 

7. Jack Wilson questioned as to how large of an area do they deliver food hampers?

A.- All over the city. Large amount in the north end. Also core of Winnipeg, along Pembina Highway, St. Boniface, Elmwood, Transcona as well as the Westgrove area in Charleswood.

 

8. Nancy Morris asked if their building is large enough for this program along with everything else they do.

A.-Not really, there is food and freezers everywhere.

The program has 16 drivers. Brian lays out the most efficient route to take for each driver to get all hampers delivered as quickly as possible. There are frozen foods in the hampers.

 

9. Ed Thompson asked if they have a list of the hamper recipients?

A.- Yes, the donors usually want a report as to where the food etc. went.

 

10.-Laura (online) asked does the Bear Clan Patrol require volunteers to fill hampers?

A.-Yes. The building is a drop-in centre during the day, so a limited number of people can be inside at any one time.