Calgary Police Service (CPS) began its third installment of Operation Order on Wednesday morning, bringing a greater law enforcement presence to parts of the city’s southeast to improve safety and connect residents with support services.
The May 13 operation started early in the morning and will run until 10 p.m. in priority locations, including in the downtown core near East Village, along 17 Avenue SE beside Forest Lawn, in Sunalta and also around Chinook LRT Station.
During an afternoon media availability, CPS Chief Katie McLellan explained that they chose this location based on where the data and residents identified as the areas with the most criminal activity.
“We continue to apply consistent pressure in the downtown core, while also adapting to what we see on the ground,” she said.
“Crime and disorder are not confined to one location, and our response cannot be either.”
Executive director of the International Avenue BRZ, Alison Karim-McSwiney, was one of the advocates for putting that portion of 17 Avenue SE on the police’s radar. She said that, in addition to garbage and graffiti, social disorder is a pressing problem impacting local businesses.
“Unfortunately, sometimes they have to deal with people that are dealing with addictions, disorder, and a number of other issues,” said Karim-McSwiney.
“Frankly, they’re not trained to do that, and it’s also sometimes not safe, so that’s an issue.”
McLellan said that as of 12 p.m., the police had conducted 37 community engagements, filed 16 social support referrals, and issued eight warrants. These numbers are not final, and the daily total is expected to be released by the police on Thursday afternoon.
“We are already seeing positive impacts, and hearing directly from community members who are grateful for our increased police presence,” she said.
“This work is not just about enforcement — enforcement is a necessary part of the response, but compassion guides every interaction.”
The initiative, which began last fall, aims to enhance community safety in strategic locations that require additional law enforcement attention. McLellan emphasized that Calgarians should expect to see more sweeps in the future.
“Operation Order is a sustained long-term approach to restoring safety, order, and confidence in our public spaces by connecting people with supports and enforcing the law where we need to,” she said.
“Our community should get used to seeing more of these operations spread out across the city. They will remain a visible, ongoing part of our response.”
