Advocates are warning about the dangers of shrinking this year's holiday checkstop program in order to reallocate Winnipeg police to address a rise in violent crime.

Chief Danny Smyth has said he will redeploy dozens of officers -- including some traffic unit staff -- to general and foot patrol duties.

So far this year, there have been 40 homicides -- one shy of tying Winnipeg's record.

The group Mothers Against Drunk Driving wonders why the shift in officers will be done over the busy holiday season.

CEO Andrew Murie says of all the tactics used to deter drunk driving, sobriety checkpoints are the most effective.