Residents and business owners in Calgary's Bridgeland neighbourhood will see a heightened police presence in the coming days. This move comes as a direct response to a concerning series of commercial break-and-enters that have left local entrepreneurs dealing with broken glass and stolen property.
A Spate of Late-Night Incidents
The Calgary Police Service has confirmed it is investigating six separate commercial break-ins reported in Bridgeland since the start of the new year. According to authorities, all the incidents occurred during the late evening or early morning hours.
In a statement to Postmedia, CPS indicated that its District 3 break-and-enter team is actively investigating. "Patrols are being increased in the area," a police spokesperson confirmed via email.
Business Owners on the Front Lines
For Meghan Huchkowsky, co-owner of Doodle Dogs at 841 1st Avenue N.E., the call from her alarm company came around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16. She was alerted to a glass break at her storefront.
Huchkowsky, who has experienced break-ins before, found the timing unusual. "(It was) in the middle of the evening, which is quite rare," she noted, pointing out that the area is typically bustling with dog walkers and patrons of nearby Small Bar at that hour.
Surveillance footage from Doodle Dogs showed an individual entering, rummaging through front counter drawers, and leaving empty-handed. This outcome was partly by design; the business transitioned to a cashless model post-COVID to enhance staff safety and deter theft.
In response, Huchkowsky is replacing the damaged glass with reinforced Plexiglass, joking to the installer, "just put in whatever is (in) the Batmobile." She is also contemplating installing electronic roller shutters, though the $5,000 cost and the impact on the neighbourhood's aesthetic give her pause.
"If every business is forced to do that, the neighbourhood is gonna start looking like The Purge," Huchkowsky expressed. "We're going to look like a place that people don't wanna live. And we're gonna look like a place where small businesses don't wanna open."
Multiple Businesses Targeted on One Street
Just down the street at 915 1st Avenue N.E., The Bridge Barbershop was hit in the early hours of Thursday. Owner Barry Elkadri reviewed surveillance video that showed a man first attempting to break into a neighbouring physiotherapy clinic before using a rock to smash the barbershop's glass door around 2:30 a.m.
The intruder stole several items before exiting through the rear of the shop. Elkadri stated he does not yet have a full estimate of the losses. The same individual is also believed to have damaged the glass door of a nearby Subway restaurant.
Despite the violation and the hassle, Elkadri's spirit remains unbroken. He maintains a positive outlook on operating his business in the Bridgeland community.
The increased police patrols aim to provide immediate reassurance and a deterrent effect as investigators work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the January crime wave.
