Does Winnipeg need an Arson Strike Force again?

Calls to bring back Winnipeg’s Arson Strike Force have grown louder in recent days, as a number of fires, including three in the Exchange District, have been identified as arson. It’s unclear if they’re connected, but the Winnipeg Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating.

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The United Firefighters of Winnipeg wants the unit brought back. So does community activist Sel Burrows. He’s been urging the city and province to reinstate the Arson Strike Force, which was phased out over a decade ago, to save money. It was first formed in 1999 to tackle a spike in fires. It reduced arson and suspicious blazes by 38% in the first year. Back then, it consisted of police officers, firefighters and investigators from the Offic

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