Calgarians questioning safety at CTrain stations

Calgarians are raising questions about the safety of commuters on the city’s transit line.

This comes after the Calgary Police Service (CPS) released a dramatic video Wednesday of a fight between four suspects, where a flare gun went off twice at the Marlborough Station.

Doug King, professor of justice studies and criminologist at Mount Royal University (MRU), says it is extremely disturbing to see that kind of violence occur in a public place.

“Not just you know, physical violence but also violence with weapons, what appeared to be poles and then eventually a flare gun of some sort it appears… its really quite shocking,” King told CityNews.

King adds closed spaces like CTrain stations are easy targets for criminals.

“In some ways, its easier to do it in an LRT station than it is to do it on a street, because of what’s happening on the street. More often than not someone will call the police. They often attract people who are homeless, who can be very much victimized by criminal elements, right?” He said.

CityNews also asked Calgarians how safe they feel around CTrain stations.

“There’s been like a few times later at night probably … There are some people I would say maybe on drugs or something like that, where it’s a little bit like scary, I guess,” McKenzie Matt said.

READ MORE: Man charged in connection with Marlborough shooting: Calgary Police

“I have some concerns just because I have a younger sister … She’s about 16 and she has been followed on the train and felt uncomfortable. I feel okay,” Anneka Min said..

Meanwhile, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek told CityNews it all comes down to funding when asked asked about the rising crimes at CTrain stations.

“We were very pleased back at the beginning of October when the provincial government agreed to disburse funds to Calgary to help us with transit safety. We haven’t seen that funding yet,” Gondek said.

However, King disagrees.

“City council got to stop playing politics with public safety. And they have done that a little bit over the last little while. And they’re not to be blamed for what’s happening. But they have to take ownership,” said King.