On November 5, the Calgary Police Service launched a large-scale safety initiative known as Operation Order. Dozens of officers from all city districts were deployed across downtown areas including East Village, Stephen Avenue, and Century Gardens.
The goal of the operation was to address ongoing concerns from Calgarians who feel that downtown remains unsafe. Officers were briefed and sent on coordinated patrols to confront crime, social disorder, and improve public confidence.
“This is not just about statistics. It’s also about how people feel when they walk through our streets, ride transit or visit public spaces. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their city, and this operation will save lives,” said Chief Katie McLellan.
Chief McLellan emphasized that the initiative was not a temporary action aimed solely at arrests or deterrence. Instead, she described it as part of a continuous strategy to improve downtown safety.
“Today just isn’t a one-day blitz. We will continue to do this going forward after today, we will debrief, and we will assess, and we will reassess. This just isn’t one and done,” she said.
As of 4:30 p.m., police operations were still underway throughout the downtown core.
Operation Order marks Calgary Police Service’s intensified effort to improve downtown safety through sustained patrols and restored public confidence.