Notable decrease in problem behaviour during Safer Calgary - Operation Order

Yesterday, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, we launched Safer Calgary – Operation Order – a focused initiative that aims to enhance public safety in priority areas downtown, including the East Village, Stephen Avenue and Century Gardens.

Accompanied by our law enforcement partners with Calgary Community Safety, Transit Public Safety, and the Alberta Sheriffs, police and peace officers conducted strategic patrols, focused enforcement and community outreach, connecting individuals with referrals to support services where needed.

Calls for service from the public related to disorder decreased significantly during Safer Calgary – Operation Order, when compared to the 34 days prior, while calls for service generated from officers significantly increased.

Officers also noted a decreased presence of problem behaviours and high system users throughout the downtown yesterday.

While displacement was being monitored, it was not reported.

“This is good news,” says CPS Chief Katie McLellan. “It demonstrates that individuals who loiter in public spaces can find alternative places to be, and we hope that is in the care of our social agencies. Our expectation is that it stays this way. Open-air drug use, weapons and encampments are not appropriate, or safe, uses of our public spaces.”

We know these challenges will not be solved in one day and are committed to continuing this work through ongoing enforcement and focused initiatives as necessary. This work has been ongoing throughout this year during Safer Calgary – Operation CERTainty and daily patrol duties. To learn more about what we are doing to create a Safer Calgary, visit Creating Safe Public Spaces.

“Everyone who lives in and visits our downtown must feel safe, and safety requires a careful balance of enforcement and support,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “This includes addressing both acute safety needs and helping Calgarians to connect to the services available to them right now. That is why it's so important to pair the Calgary Police Service with all relevant social agencies, as we see with this operation.”

Quick stats: Safer Calgary - Operation Order

• Calls attended: 204
• Persons charged: 25
• Charges laid: 40; of these, 13 were related to failure to comply with an undertaking or a release order, or breaches of a probation order.
• InfoPosts completed: 8
• CPS warrants executed: 220
• Proactive community engagements: 217
• Social agency referrals: 115
• Encampments attended: 25
• Encampments cleaned up: 6

Throughout the operation, a variety of weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia were also seized.

Please refer to images in the gallery for charts of disorder calls for service within the Safer Calgary - Operation Order zones, from October and November 2025.

Operation highlights

• Transit officers with the TPS Safety and Engagement Team came across a youth who officer have engaged with multiple times in the past for welfare concerns. She told officers she is doing well and is in a more stable environment.
• A member of the public activated the help phone at the Centre Street CTrain station for reports of a nearby convenience store robbery. The Transit Public Safety Community Outreach Team responded with CPS officers and quickly arrested the suspect, who is a High System User (link). The suspect was found to be in breach of his court-ordered conditions and was arrested.
• Officers recognized two individuals who were wanted in relation to an ongoing investigation into the theft of approximately $20,000 of collectible items, including Pokémon cards and Lego sets. The individuals were taken into custody and charges are pending.
• Officers encountered a man suffering the effects of drug poisoning. They provided medical assistance and kept the man safe until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived.
• While on patrol, officers located a man who had been reported missing in September 2025. Officers confirmed the man’s well-being and offered supports.
• An individual was located sleeping in a public area and refused to leave. The person was arrested and searched. Officers found drugs and a 14-inch knife. The individual also had outstanding warrants and was taken into custody.