Calgra Officials Urge Provincial and Federal Intervention Amid Rising Extortion Violence
Calgary authorities are sounding the alarm over a disturbing surge in violent extortion crimes that has left communities on edge, prompting urgent calls for action directed at both provincial and federal governments. While overall crime rates have remained stable in certain areas, a specific and troubling pattern has emerged that demands immediate attention.
Targeted Attacks on South Asian Community
Since July 2025, the Calgary Police Service has been investigating a coordinated series of extortion crimes concentrated in the city's northeast sector. These crimes have specifically targeted members of Calgary's South Asian community, creating significant concern among residents and law enforcement alike.
Calgary police superintendent Jeff Bell revealed that during this period, authorities have documented a total of thirteen extortion cases and eleven related shootings within and around the city proper. The most recent incidents occurred in the neighborhoods of Taradale and Redstone, with investigators confirming these latest cases are connected to the broader extortion series.
Modus Operandi and Investigation Details
The criminals behind these extortion attempts typically contact their victims through international phone calls or encrypted messaging applications like WhatsApp. Once contact is established, they demand substantial sums of money under threat of violence. Bell noted that perpetrators often reference the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, a group designated as a terrorist entity in Canada, as a fear-mongering tactic to intimidate their targets.
"We recognize when they call that sometimes they use the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as a way to fear monger what's going on because they leverage the name as a fear tactic," Bell explained. "Unfortunately, at this stage of the investigation, it's too early to determine the authenticity of these claims, but it remains a serious consideration."
Victim Profile and Community Response
Investigators have identified a pattern among those targeted: victims often display affluent lifestyles through their public presence. Bell advised community members to exercise caution with their personal information, suggesting they avoid showcasing wealth on public websites or messaging applications.
"We're kindly asking that if you have a risk of this, that you are strategic in your approach," Bell emphasized. "That means maybe you're not flashing that information on public websites, maybe you're not putting it on different message apps, and we keep that information confidential."
Multi-Level Government Coordination
The Calgary Police Service has been working closely with municipal representatives, including Ward 5 Councillor Raj Dhaliwal, to enhance community protection measures. Town hall meetings have been organized to keep residents informed, with additional sessions planned in the coming weeks to provide updates and safety information.
At the provincial level, the investigation is now being led by ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams), with Calgary police maintaining collaboration with this specialized unit. Federal connections have also been established through partnerships with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police to address the broader implications of these crimes.
Community Impact and Ongoing Concerns
The psychological impact on affected communities has been substantial, with residents reporting increased anxiety and fear following the series of violent incidents. The shooting in Redstone on January 25, 2026, which left a home with seven bullet holes, exemplifies the tangible danger facing targeted individuals and their families.
While Councillor Dhaliwal noted that overall crime has not increased across all communities, the specific spike in extortion-related violence has created a distinct public safety challenge that requires coordinated intervention from multiple levels of government. The situation remains fluid as investigators continue to pursue leads and work to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for these targeted attacks.
