More officers on the way as Calgary Transit safety concerns are raised at town hall meeting
CTV
Residents in Kensington attended a town hall meeting Monday night to vent concerns with city officials and law enforcement surrounding public safety on transit and in the community.
Residents in Kensington attended a town hall meeting Monday night to vent concerns with city officials and law enforcement surrounding public safety on transit and in the community.
“I've been doing this job for 20 years and we've always been fairly lucky with our level of social disorder and crime has increased as a result of COVID,” said Annie MacInnis, executive director of Kensington Business Improvement Area.
One resident voiced his frustration to Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong, likening the city’s LRT system to “a meth lab.”
Sgt. Ian Stewart, with Calgary Transit, says officers are dealing with a number of disorderly conducts including fires.
“People setting fires within shelters or the vulnerable populations are setting fire to keep warm,” he said.
“We are well aware of it. We have good strategies in place to try and deal with those in the extreme cold weather.”
Stewart says there are transit ambassadors located at stations, to speak with riders.
