Temporary injunction won’t be used for Flames playoff celebrations: police chief
Posted Apr 19, 2022 9:41 am.
Last Updated Apr 19, 2022 9:46 am.
Calgary’s police chief says officers likely won’t use the temporary injunction to deal with Flames fans celebrating around the Saddledome and along 17 Avenue come playoffs.
Mark Neufeld says the police legal team is still looking over the injunction to see if it could be applied in that situation.
“I can tell you there’s likely no application for the injunction for Red Mile, playoff related activity. Those aren’t protests, as you know, and even though some of the behaviours may be generally similar, the affidavits and grounds that were used in support of the injunction that was achieved relate to public safety and protest groups and not directly to folks using the area after playoff games or whatever,” he said, noting that the planning process for playoffs is already ongoing.
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He says the circumstances are quite different and the legal team’s preliminary assessment is that the injunction is probably something that would not be used for playoff activity.
Neufeld says a Flames playoff run is good for the city and something that will bring positive energy.
“I think the business community is certainly looking forward to an opportunity to see a spike in revenues and patrons as a result of a playoff run. So I think that is good, especially with the types of challenges they’ve faced over the previous two years.”
However, enforcement of any playoff celebrations will have to be balanced he said.
“Obviously we have to balance that off against the residential community though. There’s folks living in those neighbourhoods as well who obviously want to make sure that they are not unreasonably inconvenienced by what goes on as well,” he explained.
“I think the key is just to make sure we can find a way where people can enjoy the area, support the businesses but also be lawful and respectful and make sure they are respecting those who live in the area.”
