City looks to increase transit police on buses to ease safety concerns
The city is investigating the idea of increased patrols on public buses to improve security and keep a better eye on intoxicated and rowdy riders.
Calgary Transit recently spent $6 million to upgrade its security and surveillance systems and doubled the number of peace officers to 89.
Transit police patrol CTrains, platforms and parking lots, but maintain a smaller presence on city buses.
“Our focus has always been on the LRT side,” said Brian Whitelaw, Calgary Transit’s co-ordinator of public safety and enforcement.
“Having the operator at the front of the bus is a calming influence — you can see a person and that person is able to exert control within reason. On the train system, it’s much more anonymous.”
But feedback from customers and operators suggests there are safety concerns on buses as well. As part of a pilot project, the city hopes to assign a team of eight peace officers to certain “hot spot” routes that tend to attract obnoxious and unwanted patrons.
Of the 17,000 calls transit police respond to in a year, roughly 800 involve an incident on a city bus.
“If we dedicate a team of individuals in the late afternoon and evening hours, it will give us some broader insights into overall safety and security in the transit system,” said Whitelaw.
Angela Farrell relies on both the CTrain and city buses to shuttle her between a Forest Lawn apartment and the downtown clothing retailer where she works.
She’s witnessed plenty of disturbances during her commute — many of them on the bus — and frequently feels ill at ease due to the behaviour of rowdy patrons.
“The drunks are bad, especially on the longer routes. I definitely feel safer on the train, because you know they are at least being patrolled,” Farrell said.
Calgary Transit reports assaults, sex crimes and robberies have declined in recent years, likely due to an increased security presence.
The city-run organization launched a public awareness campaign Thursday reminding riders that transit peace officers are there to prevent crime and disorder on transit properties.
Appointed by the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, the officers are legally allowed to issue summons for municipal bylaw and provincial offences, as well as make arrests.
“Our folks are friendly, but they are not security guards. They are, in fact, law enforcement officials,” said Whitelaw.
“When (riders) don’t comply, we end up in situations that we’d rather not be in.”
Transit peace officers do not carry firearms but are equipped with pepper spray, a baton and body armour.