The Calgary Police Service (CPS) says a recent operation aimed at enhancing public safety along the south leg of bus and CTrain lines was a success.
Safer Calgary’s Operation Jingle All the Way ran over 18 hours from Dec. 22 to Dec. 23 and brought together members of CPS’ community engagement response teams (CERTs), transit peace officers, public safety officers, community clinicians and social workers.
Teams were deployed collaboratively to disrupt disorder in hot spot locations, identify emerging high system users, increase visible police and peace officer presence, and connect those in need with immediate supports.
Especially of note during the operation was a noticeable reduction in disorder at Chinook Station, CPS says.
Additionally, new communication channels were established between police and partner agencies who reportedly had positive experiences and said they wanted to continue working in the collaborative model in order to address emerging issues collectively.
Quick stats:
- Calls for service: 73
- Summons issued: 72
- Warrants executed: 73
- InfoPosts completed: 30
- Charges laid: 11
- This includes various probation breaches, possession of methamphetamines, and possession of a weapon
- Proactive community engagements: More than 400 with citizens, shop staff, and transit users
- Social agency referrals: 70
- Encampments identified and cleaned up: five
- Weapons seized: one baton
Jingle All the Way was the third Safer Calgary operation.
The first was conducted in March and saw 230 charges laid.
In that operation 299 grams of fentanyl, 61 grams of methamphetamine, and four grams of cocaine were seized.
The second — Operation Order — happened in November and led to the arrest of 20 people by police.
One of the first tickets handed out in the crackdown was for $120 to a man that had discarded a cigarette butt.