Calgary police operation looks to clean up high-crime area in East Village

A homeless encampment located on the east end of Calgary’s downtown is being dismantled following a rise in crime in the area.

Rows and rows of tents, beds and personal belongings can be seen on Dermot Baldwin Way, located behind the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

Calgary police executed “Operation East Side” which focused on addressing the growth of violence and other crimes near the centre.

Police say since Dec. 1, more than 27 violent encounters, which included assault with weapons and sexual assaults, have occured and left victims and those who frequent the area concerned for their safety.

In early December, police patrols worked to connect those who needed help with social services that could provide it.

Despite this, police say the violence continued and, in total, 12 people were arrested totalling over 70 criminal charges and 28 weapons were seized.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1491842401358417920

“Our investigation has shown that a criminal element has become entrenched along Dermot Baldwin Way. This group has hindered access to the Calgary Drop-In Centre by creating a gauntlet of violence and drug trafficking. The temporary structures have been used to store drugs and a significant number of deadly weapons including machetes, swords, knives, sledgehammers and firearms. All of which have been used against vulnerable members of the public simply trying to access the Calgary Drop-In Centre,” said Calgary Police Service Insp. Clare Smart.

“We believe this group uses violence to control drug trafficking in the area for what has become very valuable territory for the traffickers.”

Some of these incidents saw people seriously injured and a minor sexually assaulted multiple times in one of the tents.

The investigation also found offenders would often return to Dermot Baldwin Way after they were released from custody.

For that reason, on Thursday, the Calgary Police Service joined several other organizations in clearing out tents and executing search warrants on some of the temporary homes.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1491853314513719297

The Calgary Fire Department was also on hand Thursday to help safely remove dangerous items like needles, hazardous materials and heating hazards.

As personal items were removed from the tents, they were stored in garbage bags which the owners can pick up in the future.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1491854611719733249

“The area outside the Drop-In must remain clear to ensure that people who need critical supports feel safe and welcome to access them,” said Ryan Pleckaitis, Chief Bylaw Officer for The City of Calgary, in a release.

“For that reason, we will continue to monitor this site to ensure encampments don’t reoccur in this space, but as always our Partner Agency Liaison teams will be out regularly meeting with individuals sleeping rough and offering support and safer indoor options.”