Calgary police arrest 20 in downtown enforcement blitz

Standing before a wall of uniformed officers and partner agencies, Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan delivered a clear message Wednesday that “enough is enough.”

In her first major public initiative since taking office earlier this year, McLellan launched “Operation Order,” a sweeping enforcement blitz targeting crime and social disorder in Calgary’s downtown core.

The operation, part of the broader “Safer Calgary” initiative, saw dozens of police officers, transit peace officers, and social agency workers flood areas like East Village, Stephen Avenue, and Century Gardens. Their mission, according to police, to enforce laws, issue tickets, make arrests, and connect vulnerable individuals to support services.

By mid-afternoon Wednesday, officers had made 20 arrests and criminal code charges, issued 77 summons, and acted on 180 outstanding warrants.

One of the first ticketed was Grant Robinson, who received a $120 fine for discarding a cigarette butt.

“This is gonna stop me from probably another month because I have to pay it,” he said. “I won’t be able to save money because I have to give the government money.”

Reporters followed officers as they patrolled back alleys and transit platforms. In one alley, three individuals were ticketed for loitering after allegedly smoking from a glass pipe.

Constable Neil Hewitt emphasized the importance of building trust.

“If you develop a positive rapport with these individuals, one day in the future… they will know that you’re a decent cop,” Hewitt said.

Later, two individuals with multiple outstanding warrants were arrested on a CTrain platform and transported for processing.

McLellan acknowledged that despite previous efforts—including an eight-month operation earlier this year—public perception and reality of downtown safety haven’t improved.

“We’ve heard you. Enough is enough,” she declared Wednesday morning.

She stressed that enforcement is only part of the solution.

“Arresting is connecting,” she said. “Arrests will be made when necessary, but always with dignity, care and connection to services.”

McLellan is calling for more safe day spaces with programming, decentralized and alternative shelter services, legal reform, expanded peace officer authorities, and an open-air drug bylaw.

The first Safer Calgary operation, funded by a grant earlier this year, led to 2,480 warrants issued, 373 criminal code charges, and 2,197 social agency referrals.

McLellan emphasized that Wednesday’s blitz is not a one-off.

“If we have to arrest them to take them to social services and support, if they break the law, we will do that,” she said.