Leadership over lip service: Building a safer Calgary for everyone
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Our downtown is plagued by crime, addiction and social disorder. Calgary just plummeted from fifth to 18th place in The Economist's rankings of the most liveable cities in the world. The rest of the world is noticing what many Calgarians already know: our city is no longer as safe or livable as it should be. And the investor uncertainty this creates is not to be overlooked.
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The numbers speak volumes. Calgary Transit reported a 53 per cent increase in violent incidents on buses and LRT platforms in 2023 from 2019. The Calgary Police Service also reported that social disorder calls — such as weapon complaints, indecent acts and disturbances — rose by over 10 per cent last year. In the Plus-15 system and along key corridors like 8th Avenue South, many Calgarians say they no longer feel safe commuting to work or shopping at local businesses.
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These issues are not confined to our downtown. They extend to our suburbs, throughout our transit corridors and are in every neighbourhood. Our first responders and our transit operators are at risk, and morale is low.
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This isn't about fearmongering or pointing fingers. It's about facts. It's about acknowledging the lived experiences of Calgarians — and expecting our elected officials to take action.
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Over the last several months, I have talked to tens of thousands of Calgarians. They are pleading for a transparent city council that will listen, make our city more affordable, take care of essential services like water, sewer and roads, and make our city safe again. No one feels like this is what they are getting right now.
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We can't have a thriving economy, a vibrant downtown or strong neighbourhoods if people don't feel safe. That starts with expanding our police presence, including reopening a downtown police station and increasing community patrols in high-risk areas like LRT stations and the Plus-15 network.
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Enforcement alone won't fix what's broken. We must push for a modernized bylaw — like in Edmonton — that bans open drug use, aggressive panhandling, weapons displays and unauthorized encampments in public spaces. We must protect our parks, sidewalks and transit zones from being taken over by chaos.
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For vulnerable Calgarians, we must partner with the province to expand access to addiction treatment, mental health care, and emergency support — getting people off the streets and into care. We don't achieve this by being combative with the provincial government — we do it by being collaborative.
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None of this is radical. It's common sense. And Calgarians are begging their elected officials for it.
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A new Downtown Safety Task Force — composed of community advocates, frontline workers, and business leaders — should be created with a clear mandate to drive real results. This task force won't just talk, it will act. It's time for less lip service and more public service.
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We also need to address repeat violent offenders. Calgary cannot be expected to thrive while federal bail and sentencing rules allow dangerous, repeat offenders to roam freely. Municipal leaders must work together to convince Ottawa for bail and justice reform.
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What Calgary needs now is not more political theatre or infighting — which is precisely what they are getting from this current city council — it's action. Public safety must be a priority for politicians. Without safe streets, what kind of a legacy are we leaving for our children?
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