In this letter about MCJA’s annual Crime Prevention Breakfast, an event held each November in Winnipeg, MCJA President Mike Cook reports on the success of a new format employed at the 2019 Breakfast, where four speakers were given the floor to offer their respective perspectives on a theme of Community Involvement in Public Safety: Mr. James Favel, the Director of Winnipeg’s Bear Clan Organization; Dr. Hygiea Casiano, a prominent Winnipeg Psychiatrist; Ms. Kate Kehler, a popular speaker having had many roles within various social organizations helping ensure the needs of those who come into conflict with the law are being met; and, Chief Danny Smyth, Chief of the Winnipeg Police Service. The 2019 Breakfast was very well received, and Mr. Cook urges those who will be in Winnipeg this coming November to visit the MCJA website (www.mcja.ca) and purchase tickets for MCJA’s 2020 Crime Prevention Breakfast.
 
RE:      Manitoba Criminal Justice Association (MCJA) Crime Prevention Breakfast
 
November is crime prevention month in the Province of Manitoba. Each year the Province proclaims November as crime prevention month and MCJA recon it with our annual Crime Prevention Breakfast. 
 
This year the MCJA presented a very different format for our Crime Prevention Breakfast.
 
In past years we utilized a one-speaker format for the morning. While that format met with great success over the years, last fall we decided around the board room table to opt for a new, innovative approach by which four (4) separate speakers sharing the stage with their respective perspectives. 
 
The topic for the MCJA breakfast was “Community Involvement in Public Safety”, and we had four (4) fabulous speakers, each speaking from a very different standpoint. 
 
The first speaker was Mr. James Favel, Director of Winnipeg’s Bear Clan organization. The Bear Clan is an important component of crime prevention for our city. Dedicated men and women from the Clan assist the community greatly by walking the streets of the North End each and every night and do such wonderful things as look for missing persons, help those in need, and clean up used condoms and hypodermic needles around the neighbourhood.
 
Dr. Hygiea Casiano is a prominent Winnipeg psychiatrist. She talked about medical intervention to assist both youths and adults coping with drug and/or alcohol addictions and those with an underlying mental health issue. Dr. Casiano spoke to the type of treatment available and how the clients we serve can greatly benefit from medical intervention.
 
Ms. Kate Kehler is a very popular speaker. She has had many roles within various social organizations that have assisted people who come into conflict with the law and need more than incarceration, such as assistance to help them with everyday necessities like shelter, food, medical attention and counselling in the community.
 
The last speaker was Chief Danny Smyth, Chief of the Winnipeg Police Service. Chief Smyth talked about the problem Winnipeg is having with the proliferation of crystal methamphetamine and the dire consequences it has on those who are addicted to the drug as well as their families. Chief Smyth talked about how the Winnipeg Police is working very actively with all three levels of government in an effective strategy aiming to reduce the number of methamphetamine crimes.
 
MCJA’s Crime Prevention Breakfast and Public Education
The Crime Prevention Breakfast is MCJA’s key platform for public education. We proudly present the breakfast the first week of every November and invite all three levels of the Judiciary, the Crown Attorneys who prosecute cases, the Defence bar, Parole Services, Probation Services, Treatment Centres, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Shelter Personal and families and friends of people being affected by the topic of the day. This year’s conference was very well received by an approximate 220 attendees. The funds raised from the breakfast help us present other programs in the community at smaller venues throughout the year.  
 
Don’t Miss MCJA’s 2020 Crime Prevention Breakfast
Smith Corona Van Dongen & Cook is proud to participate in furthering community engagement by assisting the MCJA in its many functions, including the annual Crime Prevention Breakfast. The MCJA Board is currently busy putting together plans for the November 5, 2020 Crime Prevention Breakfast. If you are in Winnipeg at the time, please go to our website (www.mcja.ca/) and purchase tickets. You will not be disappointed.
 
Yours truly,
 
Mike Cook, MCJA President
Criminal Defence Lawyer