Sheriffs in town: Edmonton gets downtown enforcement boost – is Calgary next?

As Alberta’s capital gets an enforcement boost, Calgary could be next on the list for sheriffs to come to the city.

The Alberta government and Edmonton Police Service announced in late February a 15-week pilot project to bring Alberta sheriffs to downtown that city. The goal is to improve security and prevent crime and social unrest.

Twelve sheriffs will work with EPS officers to increase patrols in this city’s troubled neighborhoods. According to the province, it will increase the patrol area and allow them to extend patrol coverage to seven days a week, 22 hours a day.

The province said the partnership is a direct result of the Edmonton Public Safety and Community Response Task Force.

Public Safety and Emergency Services Secretary Mike Ellis said more police presence was a direct request from the Edmonton Police Department, their Chinatown borough and other downtown organizations.

“Partnerships and collaborations like this will play a key role as the task force continues to address complex issues such as public safety, homelessness, addiction and mental health,” he said in a prepared press release.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek said she is unsure of the exact solution for Calgary’s further development. She was the mother of provincial efforts that were duplicated downtown in that city.

“However, I can tell you that regardless of the resolution that lies ahead, there has been a working relationship with the Calgary Police Service,” she said Wednesday.

“I’m confident that our partners in charge of security are taking this very seriously and developing a collaborative approach.”

Downtown, transit safety on provincial radar

The province has worked with the city not only to improve safety in downtown Calgary, but also to help fight homelessness, mental health and addiction.

As early as October 1, 2022, the province announced millions over two years to improve access to mental health and addiction treatment.

Any new solutions coming to Calgary will be an extension of this ongoing work, the mayor said.

“I see this as just a continuation of their commitment to our city,” she said.

She noted that there is also a task force, formed in December, working on Calgary public safety issues.

“Anything we can do to address the issues that we see surrounding public safety and address some of the criminal elements is important and if our local police force is getting assistance from the sheriffs, that’s a good thing.” , she said.