Calgary's downtown has for years been plagued by misguided decisions from city council, according to a recent column by Don Braid in the Calgary Herald. Among the most criticized moves was the closure of the Victoria Park central police station in 2017.
The Aftermath of the Police Station Closure
Following the closure, the Sheldon Chumir safe injection site opened in 2018, imposed by Alberta Health Services. City hall was ill-prepared for the ensuing surge in crime and social disorder. Without a policing plan or adequate police presence, crime became entrenched.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas now advocates for a new downtown police station, fully staffed with officers on the streets. He made this a campaign promise, as did his main competitor, Sonya Sharp. Farkas notes that Calgary is the only major city in Canada and the U.S. without a police presence in its city centre.
Crime Statistics and Business Impact
Downtown towers have hollowed out over the past decade, yet crime remains high. The latest police report shows downtown crime rates are the highest in the city. Companies still operating in the core spend heavily on private security. Farkas argues that the downtown's reputation deters businesses from locating there.
“I know that there’s a significant amount of business and activity that could be happening in Calgary’s downtown that isn’t, because of the perceptions around safety,” Farkas stated.
Plans for a New Police Station
With support from 10 councillors, Farkas aims to move quickly. He challenges administration and council to break ground by the end of the year. One possible location is the East Village, though Farkas is open to other options. He describes the East Village as the “crown jewel” of the city, but development has stalled due to safety concerns.
Former mayor Dave Bronconnier introduced tax credits to develop the East Village on prime riverside land. New pathway connections now link the area to Inglewood, but crime persists. Farkas insists no competent council should have allowed this situation.
The closure of the Vic Park station worsened the problem. Downtown crime surges are not new; disorder spiked nearly two decades ago. Office workers, especially women, faced harassment on Stephen Avenue. CEOs of major companies threatened to leave the core if city hall did not act.
