Safer Calgary
Strengthening Our City Together
The Calgary Police Service, alongside the City of Calgary, Government of Alberta, and social agency partners, is dedicated to improving public safety in areas of high social disorder and crime, especially downtown and along transit routes. Through focused operations and supportive programs, they target issues such as open-air drug use, drug trafficking, and other unsafe behaviors.
The CPS enforces existing laws and bylaws, but enforcement is only one aspect of a larger challenge. Collaboration with partners aims to tackle the underlying causes of these behaviors.
Community Safety Concerns
Public spaces should be safe, respectful, and welcoming to everyone. Currently, the community reports feeling unsafe in these areas. In 2025, violence downtown has reached a six-year high, with a 20% increase compared to the five-year average.
Disorder calls—comprising unwanted guests, disturbances, indecent acts, and drug-related incidents—account for approximately 75% of service calls in the city center this year.
Enforcing Expectations for Public Spaces
Public spaces must be used appropriately, and enforcement actions will be taken as necessary. There is no tolerance for behavior that threatens safety or causes fear.
"While compassion and services lead our approach, enforcement remains a critical component of maintaining public safety."
The CPS continues to balance enforcement with compassionate services to create a safer community for all.
Author's Summary
The Calgary Police and city partners are intensifying efforts to improve safety downtown by addressing crime and social disorder through enforcement and supportive collaboration.