Safer Calgary operation showing early results

One month in and the integrated Safer Calgary operation with police and peace officers, as well as community partners, is demonstrating success in addressing crime and social disorder in public spaces.

More than 230 charges have been laid, 1,464 arrest warrants fulfilled and 1,060 tickets issued. In addition to enforcement, 1,151 social agency referrals have been made and there have been more than 1,128 businesses engagements.

“Through integrated enforcement, strategic patrols and compassionate supports, we aim to Strengthen Our City Together for a Safer Calgary,” says Calgary Police Service (CPS) Acting Staff Sgt. Derek Klassen.

Safer Calgary launched on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. While the police and peace officer partnership has been ongoing over the past several years, and this focused operation was planned well in advance, Safer Calgary was expedited to align with a request from the province for enhanced collaboration between community peace officers and police officers.

The CPS Community Engagement Response Teams are partnered with peace officers from Community Safety and Transit Public Safety, as well as community outreach supports for an integrated response. Teams are deployed and directed in accordance with a CPS operational plan that encompasses a broader data-led strategy to address crime and social disorder in hot spots, particularly downtown and along transit routes.

“Over many years Community Safety has worked in partnership with CPS and Transit Public Safety to address safety in the city, the Safer Calgary initiative is just another way for us to grow and build on our collaboration efforts.  By working side by side to provide a visible unformed presence we are committed to delivering a safer space for those that work, live and visit our vibrant city and in particular our downtown spaces,” says Community Safety Insp. Susan Wall.

"Our collaborative approach improves response effectiveness and fosters a sense of security for transit users. Through Safer Calgary, Transit Peace Officers go beyond enforcement by connecting individuals seeking shelter on and around transit with vital community resources. By addressing both mental and physical health needs, this initiative takes a proactive, compassionate approach to supporting vulnerable populations while ensuring a safer transit environment for all," says Acting Deputy Chief Michael Pratt, Transit Public Safety.

Alpha House has long partnered with transit and bylaw officers throughout the city with our Encampment Partner Agency Liaison (PAL) team and Community Outreach Transit (COT) teams and is equally proud to collaborate with Calgary police through our HELP Team.

The HELP Team is available 24/7 to respond to calls for service involving homelessness and substance use where other types of intervention aren’t necessary. In the last month, the HELP Team has had 3,163 calls for service, 6,741 client interactions, and provided 11,443 services including 4,997 transports to shelters, hospitals, and other social services.

Total drugs seized:

·       Fentanyl – 299 grams

·       Methamphetamine – 61 grams

·       Cocaine – four grams

Highlights from the operation include:

·       Transit officers located a man wanted on outstanding warrants for failing to register on the sex offender registry and failing to attend court. Arrested.

·        During a clean up of an encampment in Bonnybrook, officers located four large knives, a sling shot, 39 rounds of Winchester 300 Win mag and 300 rounds of .22 long rifle. Investigation ongoing.

·       CPS officers questioned a man loitering and located a large, black-and-red sword on him, as well as an additional knife. Arrested.

·       Woman brandishing a hatchet near Dermot Baldwin Way. Arrested.

·       Police officers located a 16-year-old missing girl in the company of a man in his 50s with a history of drug trafficking and assaults. The teen was safely returned and connected with supports.  

·       Transit officers located a man with an 18-inch machete and a set of brass knuckles that doubled as a spring-loaded knife, 6.5 grams of fentanyl and drug distribution paraphernalia. Arrested.

·       Seven individuals were charged with drug trafficking. Three released with conditions, four remanded.

·       The Violent Crime Suppression Team conducted 117 walkthroughs of licensed establishments experiencing social disorder outside the premises that fell within hot spot areas and ejected eight individuals.

·       The CPS Mounted Unit was deployed along transit, downtown and parks, engaging with more than 869 people. They also saved the life of a person who was overdosing.

·       Transit officers doing a fare check stopped a man who was later found to be wanted on a Canada-wide parole revocation warrant, having only been released four days prior for a manslaughter conviction. Arrested and remanded.

·       Transit officers identified a previously banned person. He was found to be wanted for a sexual assault and break and enter approximately 12 hours prior to being stopped. Arrested and held in custody.

·       More than 150 encampments have been attended to within the identified hotspots resulting in various social supports being offered. Twenty-nine of those have been removed.

·       The Encampment Team located a camp along the Bow River. Seized items included 46.6 grams of fentanyl, multiple cell phones, drug paraphernalia and various bank and gift cards that were confirmed stolen from several break and enters. Arrested and released with conditions.

·       Elderly man found living in his vehicle and in need of medical care was transported to medical appointments and the Navigation Centre, in addition to connection for financial assistance and housing supports. Care and connection to supports ongoing.

·       Located a young, pregnant woman who was consuming drugs. With the assistance of a Recovery Alberta clinician, she was connected to supports.