With major boost in transit peace officers, riders say they're seeing changes on the platforms

Calgary Eyeopener8:47Transit safety report

Calgary Transit security officials say they're making progress on safety plans. 

They are nearing the end of a hiring spree and already seeing more front-line officers on the platforms.

By the start of winter, 45 transit peace officers will be deployed each shift, working from a decentralized network of three hubs across Calgary, says city official Aaron Coon.

That's up from just 12 officers per shift under the old model.

Coon oversees transit safety for the City of Calgary. He says their statistics suggest the new approach is working. 

"[Comparing the first three months of 2023 to 2024], we are seeing those trends. We saw a decrease of overdoses on transit by 65 per cent. 

"Vandalism is down — by 35 per cent with graffiti, and 17 per cent on our glass being broken. And … non-destination riders are down 64 per cent when we compare from last year.

"That is achieved through the collaborative efforts that we're having with our partner agencies like Calgary Police Service, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the Alpha House and our outreach programs. We're trending in the right direction."

The new positions are being funded with a $15-million budget increase. Coon says they work with their partners to take a compassionate approach to people experiencing homelessness.

Like many transit systems across North America, Calgary Transit has struggled with lower ridership and concerns around safety, especially during and since the pandemic.

During a 2022 series on the problem, CBC News heard from Calgary residents who turned down jobs, changed doctors, stayed home and/or took more taxis simply because they felt so uncomfortable or scared on transit. 

Last spring, when the city used a phone survey to ask Calgary residents about safety, about half (47 per cent) said they avoid taking transit because it feels unsafe.

But with increasing population, the total annual ridership has been edging up and is now on track to recover by next year.

So this month, CBC News took to the rails again to see if those riding transit regularly have noticed a difference.

It's a small sample size — and obviously restricted to those who do take transit — but the majority of the dozen people we talked with said they have noticed the increased presence of peace officers and feel comfortable on the line.

Several people who had experience being homeless also shared their perspectives. Their reactions were mixed. Some appreciated that there were more people around to offer help, while others said it feels like the whole city has less tolerance for anyone who is not a student or working. They're just being moved on.

Gurpreet Meho

"Calgary Transit is very comfortable and relaxing, and the most good thing is all the platforms and the bus hubs are very clean," said Gupreet Mihu, a truck driver who takes the train when he wants to avoid paying for parking downtown. 

He was sitting at the Westbrook Station, where a man was power washing the platform across from him. He said he moved to Canada in 2010 and first spent time in Montreal.

"It feels much cleaner and more open than Montreal," he said. "The security system here makes me feel more comfortable, safe and secure."

He said he sees people sleeping in the stations sometime or checking for bottles but has never felt threatened.

Amneet Hauk

As a student, Amneet Hauk said she takes the train every day and would like to see more peace officers around. She feels they don't always respond to situations that make her feel uncomfortable. 

She said she was getting up once and bumped into another passenger, another young woman, who looked like she was living rough.

"She was leaning on me and she ended up punching me on the back of my head," she said. "So transit officers, more security on the platforms and the trains would make it more accessible.… I think it's really important for them to step up their game a little bit because there are kids who travel on the trains as well."

John Malcolm

Riding the train with a friend who was pushing a shopping cart, John Malcolm said he only recently got an apartment. On transit, you're immediately discriminated against if you look shabby, he said, even though people without the means to wash and dress well need the service to get around.

"Obviously, you guys are reporters so they definitely won't screw with me right now, but (otherwise) they would find something.… One thing you don't know until you're homeless is that you can't stop moving."

Institutions that used to offer a home for people with mental health challenges have been shut down. But those people don't disappear, he said. 

"They're still your brother and they're still your sister and they're still your uncle," he said, adding that he wishes society would treat these people with more compassion.

Ben Paille

Ben Paille has been taking transit from the far south nearly every day since 2021. He said it gets him downtown quickly, although he wishes the bus network was more extensive in the suburbs.

"I never felt unsafe here. I mean, there's obviously that guy back over there," he said, referring to a man singing off key at the City Hall Station. "I mean, it's pretty weird but it's not hurting anyone. I've never felt threatened." 

Roberta Jensen

Roberta Jensen is on the train at Marlborough Station at 5:30 every morning to get to work. She laughed when she was asked about safety. 

"Oh, I'm not worried about safety. I think I scare a lot more people than they scare me," she said, referring to her facial piercings.

"We've lived in the city for eight years now. I've never had a problem. Safety, I've noticed now lately there is more security around, which is nice to see. But otherwise, I talk with people when I can. I've had no issues."