The link aims to increase CPS officers’ physical presence in Bridgeland
The Calgary Police Service has launched a partnership with the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association to give officers a space to work remotely and interact with the public once a week.
Acting Sgt. Anthony Thompson said the Community Engagement Link — which he described as a one-year pilot project — aims to increase CPS officers’ physical presence in Bridgeland.
He noted the office for District 3, which Bridgeland falls under, is far away near Nose Hill Park in the northwest community of North Haven. The physical distance makes it difficult for officers to respond quickly to calls in Bridgeland or spend significant time in the area, he said.
“This is an opportunity for residents of Bridgeland to come down and just engage with us, talk about safety issues and things like that,” Thompson said at a media availability on Wednesday.
“Our access and ability to be down here consistently is a little bit, I wouldn’t say hindered, but we are a little further away from here than any other point in our district.”
Thompson said the link will only be open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but CPS hopes to expand that availability to evenings and weekends in the future.
Citizens are encouraged to visit the facility at 917 Centre Ave. N.E. to chat with officers, receive crime prevention information and express any concerns.
Growing social disorder a factor: BRCA
Though the district office’s physical distance from Bridgeland was the main factor in setting up the link, Thompson acknowledged that public concerns about social disorder and a desire for more of a police presence in the inner-city neighbourhood also played a part.
He said on average, the number of calls in Bridgeland tend to outpace communities outside the core, citing break-and-enters as an example.
Other common calls police respond to in Bridgeland, according to Thompson, are related to “certain behaviours” and suspicious people in the neighbourhood.
“It’s not just here, it’s everywhere,” he said.
“Crime and social disorder affects everywhere in the city, so it wasn’t specifically because of that. But we had to try something different.”
Thompson feels the additional police presence will provide Bridgeland residents “a sense of safety and security.”
Bridgeland’s proximity to both an LRT station and the downtown has likely led to an uptick in crime in the community, community association president Alex MacWilliam said.
“We’ve been hearing more from our businesses and residents, concerns about social disorder,” he said.
MacWilliam said he welcomes the enhanced police presence in Bridgeland. “We believe this is going to help foster a safer and more connected community.”
Bridgeland pilot the first of its kind: Thompson
While CPS has existing “hubs” in downtown and the East Village for police officers to operate from, Thompson noted the Community Engagement Link will be the first of its kind.
“Calgary used to have its community police stations back in the day; Kensington had one, Riverbend had their community station. Those were more front-counter operations where you could come and (fill out) a police report,” he said.
“This won’t be so much along those lines — yet. Who knows what it may evolve into one day. For now, we just want to be available to listen to the residents and hear their concerns.”
Thompson said CPS will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot after one year before determining whether to continue or possibly expand the program.