As the Calgary municipal election approaches in less than a month, voters are closely observing mayoral candidates as they unveil their platforms to address transit safety concerns. Over recent years, significant efforts have been made by city officials to enhance public safety in the transit system, including hiring additional peace officers, collaborating with homeless outreach groups, adjusting deployment strategies for quicker emergency responses, and updating bylaws to empower officers in addressing unsafe behavior.
While some individuals believe these initiatives are yielding positive results, others still express apprehension when using public transportation. Transit safety has emerged as a key focus for voters leading up to the election on October 20.
For long-time resident Mataya Eaglespeaker, transit safety stands out as the most pressing issue in Calgary. Despite not being deterred from using public transit, she remains cautious and observant while traveling, especially in light of recent incidents involving bus driver assaults. Similarly, Cityscape resident Gurmanpreet Kaur emphasizes the importance of transit safety, particularly in the wake of concerning reports of attacks on bus drivers.
Michael Pratt, the city’s deputy chief of transit public safety, acknowledges that social disorder and drug use around the transit system significantly impact public perception of safety. A recent survey highlighted that while most Calgarians feel safe overall, a considerable percentage express concerns about social disorder in public spaces and transit areas, especially at night.
Several mayoral candidates have put forth proposals to address transit safety concerns. Independent candidate Jeff Davison advocates for increased security measures, including enhanced officer presence and surveillance technologies. Another independent candidate, Jeromy Farkas, aims to boost ridership and establish a transit advocate role to ensure safety at all transit stops. Incumbent candidate Jyoti Gondek emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts between various agencies to combat open drug use and enhance public safety. Sonya Sharp, running under the Communities First party banner, pledges to hire additional police officers to bolster transit safety. Brian Thiessen, representing The Calgary Party, proposes a public safety toolkit with a focus on deploying more cameras and lighting in the transit system.
Overall, the focus on transit safety in the upcoming municipal election underscores the significance of addressing public safety concerns and enhancing security measures to ensure a safe and secure transit experience for all Calgarians.
