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News & Events
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Police Advisor
Spring 2001 Edition
Chief's Message
Working together to keep Calgary safe
Preventing crime is a year-round priority for the Calgary Police Service, and Crime Prevention Week provides an opportunity to focus on ways police and citizens can work together to make Calgary an even safer city. Last year we conducted a community survey to learn what Calgarians expect from the Calgary Police Service, and to obtain feedback on our performance. The Fall 2000 issue of the Police Advisor addressed some of your top priorities, which included house break-ins, vandalism and drug law enforcement. In this issue of the Advisor we offer tips on preventing vehicle theft, another top citizen concern. By working together we can lower the current average of 12 vehicles stolen in Calgary each day, and save citizens the inconvenience of having their vehicle stolen and the extra money it costs all drivers in insurance premiums.
Meeting citizens' needs
The survey showed 96 per cent of Calgarians are satisfied with the Calgary Police Service, and 97 per cent agreed that Calgary Police Service officers are fair. We take pride in these results and strive to continue to provide citizens with the quality of service they expect and deserve. In the survey, you told us you want more consultation between the police service and the community. The Police Advisor is one means we use to keep citizens informed about our programs. We also continue to expand the information available on our Web site, www.calgarypolice.ca, and welcome your comments on any issue of concern at cps@calgarypolice.ca. We also encourage you to phone or drop into your district office or nearest community station if you would like to provide us with information or feedback.
Hiring on an ongoing basis
The Calgary Police Service faces many challenges as our city's population continues to grow. Not the least of these challenges is to attract qualified recruits to enable us to maintain an adequate level of service, and to replace officers eligible for retirement. Our cover story this issue discusses the many benefits of a career as a police officer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds. As a police service in an increasingly multicultural community, our goal is to reflect that diversity within the ranks of our members as much as possible.
Encouraging safe driving habits
We continue to address citizens' concerns about traffic safety in Calgary with pages 6 and 7 of this issue devoted to the subject. One of the articles announces the new portable red light camera program that complements the fixed red light camera traffic safety program launched in March. Now, if you have a concern about drivers running red lights in a specific intersection in your community, we will assess the feasibility of setting up the portable camera at that location. The program has been proven in other jurisdictions to reduce collisions and injuries at intersections.
Mentoring at-risk youth
The Calgary Police Service operates several school and community based proactive programs for youth, which are described on pages 4 and 5. We believe early intervention, positive role modelling and mentoring are effective ways to deter youth from drifting into a criminal lifestyle. The resources we and our community partners pour into these programs are well worth it, when you consider the dozens, and maybe even hundreds, of potential victims who are spared.
We hope you find this issue of the Police Advisor informative, and we welcome your comments.
If you have any comments about this issue or if there are crime and safety topics you want to know more about, please fax us at 216-5358.
Policing in Calgary - a Career of Choice
The Calgary Police Service will need 100 to 150 recruits per year for the next several years to replace retiring officers and to maintain service levels in a growing city. In 2001, the police service's goal is to fill five classes with 120 recruits, almost one-tenth of the current head count of more than 1,300 officers.
The police service is looking for candidates with a variety of backgrounds and experience. As Calgary becomes increasingly culturally diverse, the goal is to reflect that diversity within the police service.
"We are holding recruit information sessions in a variety of different cultural communities to get the word out that we have positions available," says Constable Tyler Stoutenburg, Diversity Coordinator with the Recruiting Unit. "We would like to see qualified candidates from all backgrounds and cultures."
Candidates must also possess a high degree of personal integrity, says Sergeant Terry Jackson, head of the Recruiting Unit. Other essential qualities include intelligence, common sense and maturity.
Many opportunities to learn and grow on the job
Detective Ardella Brennan says the police service has given her many opportunities to learn and grow on the job. She says one of the best things about being a police officer is the variety of responsibilities and experiences she's been exposed to. "The Calgary Police Service offers people a great opportunity to try a lot of different occupations within one organization," she says. Another advantage of policing is the ability to retire with full pension after 25 years of service.
Among the many duties she carried out before her promotion, Detective Brennan worked in the community developing crime prevention programs, taught in the Learning Centre, and developed community partnerships for the World Police and Fire Games.
Creativity and initiative are encouraged
New recruits and seasoned officers alike have an opportunity to do something different within the police service. "There's always lots of community problem-solving you can be part of. There's plenty of room for creativity," says Detective Brennan.
Constable Sean Chu, who's been an officer for nine years, also enjoys the variety a policing career offers. "In the private sector, you may do the same job for 25 years. Working as a police officer, there are so many different directions you can go. You can do undercover, community relations, ride a motorcycle, work in canine. The variety is something you won't find anywhere else."
Constable Chu remembers his six months of recruit training as challenging, but advises interested applicants that, "As long as you put your heart into it and study, you'll be fine." He worked in the Traffic Section before transferring to the Chinatown Beat in July 2000, which allows him to play a community relations role, strengthening understanding between police and the Chinese community.
Constable Chu recognized a communication problem between some people in the city's Chinese community and police. "When a Chinese driver who can't speak English gets pulled over for an infraction, the driver has no idea what the officer is talking about," he says.
His solution was to create tear-off pads printed with explanations - in Chinese and English - of common traffic violations.
When an officer pulls someone over who doesn't speak or understand English, he or she can tear off a sheet and give it to the driver with the ticket. The sheet also explains options for responding to the ticket, and provides a number to call for help through a Mandarin or Cantonese interpreter.
Constable Chu has developed a police radio program for a multicultural radio station, and had decals printed in Chinese with instructions to call 9-1-1 for emergencies only and to call the non-emergency police number, 266-1234, for other police-related concerns.
"I've been able to help a lot of people who weren't finding help before simply because they didn't speak the language," he says, which has contributed to his job satisfaction.
Shift work is part of the job for many police officers, and in some cases it provides advantages. "A lot of people love working nights. Having days off during the week allowed me to participate in my kids' school programs," Detective Brennan says.
Constable Chu enjoyed the night shift for different reasons. "Iliked the late shift because most of the time the bad guy comes out at night, so it was more exciting," he says.
Policing is a challenging career that isn't suited to everyone. In fact, certain aspects of the job are difficult, such as bringing bad news to families and attending injury collisions. "Policing also often requires completion of very routine tasks to keep the city safe," says Deputy Chief Jim Hornby, Bureau of Research, Development and Learning.
But the benefits are considerable, says Constable Chu. "Every day is different, and, as a police officer, you have the opportunity to do some good, which is very rewarding."
For more information on policing as a career, join us at Police Headquarters, 133 - 6 Avenue S.E., for one of the upcoming information sessions: May 17, 2001 at 6 p.m., or June 16 at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Call the Recruiting Unit at 206-8483 to register.
Take Action to Stop Auto Theft
Every day, 12 Calgarians are shocked, angered and inconvenienced when they leave their home or office to get in their vehicle and discover it's not where they left it - it's been stolen.
Last year, vehicle thefts cost the Calgary Police Service over $1 million to investigate, and cost Calgary drivers over $20 million in increased insurance premiums. Insurance companies pay out an average of $2,500 for recovered vehicles and $25,000 for the ones that are never found.
"This doesn't include the hardship and strain on people who lose their vehicles. They feel victimized just as if their home had been broken into," says Detective Ken Marchant of the Auto Theft Unit. "Some people don't even want to get into their vehicles if they're recovered."
Thieves choose locations where they are less likely to be discovered. These include parking lots and parkades, which are more likely to be targeted during the day, and residential streets, which are more likely to be targeted at night. "Always park in locations with high visibility," says Detective Marchant. "Don't give a thief the advantage of having a secluded area to operate in."
He also suggests marking your vehicle to ensure you could identify it if it were stripped. "A lot of vehicles we recover are in a semi-stripped state or the vehicle identification number has been removed. Personal points of identification are useful in that situation," he says. Examples include dropping a business card down inside the door frame, recording specific dents or rusted areas, or creating an identifying mark in the metal in a non-visible location.
"Calgarians can assist police by following some simple guidelines to make their vehicles less attractive to thieves," says Detective Marchant. A few tips:
- Always lock your vehicle.
- Close all windows.
- Park in well-lit, populated areas.
- Don't leave your garage door opener in your vehicle.
- Keep insurance and registration documents, and any documents containing your address or personal information, in your wallet - not in your vehicle.
- Use extra caution in parkades or isolated parking areas.
- Use an anti-theft device, such as an alarm, steering wheel locking bar, ignition disabler or wheel lock.
- Never leave your car running and unattended.
- Don't hide a second key anywhere on or in the vehicle.
- Don't leave valuables, including your wallet or purse, unattended in your vehicle.
- Call 9-1-1 if you witness a theft in progress, or 266-1234 if you see something suspicious.
- Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if you know of a stolen vehicle or if you know of someone who has stolen a vehicle.
The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) operates a program called "Stop! Thief" aimed at reducing the number of auto thefts in the province. For more information, contact a local branch of the AMA. To learn more about auto theft prevention and enforcement, visit www.calgarypolice.ca and click on the Help Stop Auto Theft link under the Inside the Service section.
Crime Prevention Tip
Is your garage door locked?
As summer approaches, more and more people head outdoors to do yard work, gardening, take walks or simply enjoy the sunshine. Even if you're just heading into the back yard for a while, take a moment to securely lock your garage and house.
Thieves won't think twice about removing valuables from your garage while you're busy mowing the lawn or talking to a neighbour. Nor will they hesitate to open an unlocked front door and steal items such as purses, wallets and keys that are kept within arm's length of the front entrance.
Based on current police statistics, approximately one in three garage break and enter offences could be prevented if residents made a habit of locking the door behind them.
Police Service Contributes to City's Quality of Life
Responds to emergency calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Answers over 850,000 phone calls for service each year
- Dispatches over 197,000 calls each year
- Operates over 600 police vehicles
- Assists over 45,000 victims annually through the Victim Assistance Unit
- Employs highly trained professional police officers
- Works to reduce crime through a staff of 1,329 police officers and 557 civilians
- Provides top-quality policing services through rigorous training and annual tests for officers
- Strives to ensure that officers respond rapidly to emergency situations - an average response time of 6.5 minutes to high-priority emergency calls
- Offers cost-effective service, with the lowest cost per capita of policing among major municipal policing agencies in Canada
- Provides awareness and educational programs to help Calgarians build a safe city
- Educates children and teens about the hazards associated with criminal behaviour
- Provides awareness and education programs to help Calgarians prevent crime in our communities
- Hosts seminars and community meetings focused on helping businesses, individuals and communities prevent crime and solve problems
- Increases awareness of issues related to crime and safety through the Interpretive Centre, which hosts 16,000 visitors annually
Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre
Learning about abuse can help keep kids safe
One in five children is either being abused or witnessing abuse at home, according to recent estimates. "Violence seen is violence learned," says Inspector Blake McWilliam of the police service's Family, Youth and Violent Crime Section. "In many cases the abused becomes the abuser." The cycle of violence can be broken through early identification of cases of abuse, educating kids so they understand that what they are suffering is not normal, and intervening when necessary to protect the child.
When a high-profile child abuse case hits the media, police often receive calls from caregivers, family members and neighbours who sensed something was wrong but didn't act on their suspicions. Now, the Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre is working on three new projects to help raise awareness of family violence and domestic abuse.
"We want people, including children, to know what to do if they are victims of abuse or if they suspect someone is being abused," says Janet Pieschel, curator of the Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre. "These projects will increase awareness and education and may encourage victims to get help."
Raising awareness about child abuse and family violence is one of the keys to keeping kids safe, adds Inspector McWilliam. "Educating people about the signs of abuse will help police address this issue proactively."
Helping children recognize abuse
The first project is a curriculum-based outreach program focusing on domestic abuse and family violence.
The program has been developed for Grades 4 to 6, and will serve as a resource for teachers of the new health and lifestyle curriculum to be introduced in Calgary schools in fall 2002.
Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the Calgary Police Interpretive Centre on weekends to learn about the issues facing their children - and have some fun trying on police uniforms.
"We hope to expand the program province-wide in the near future," says Pieschel.
One of the few resources available to teachers on family violence, the outreach program will help children and teachers learn to recognize abuse and provide direction about what to do if they suspect abuse. It is being developed with guidance from the Curriculum Branch of Alberta Learning, and involves teaching materials for schools and professional development workshops for teachers.
Award-winning exhibit goes on the road
The second project the Interpretive Centre is working on is a travelling exhibit on domestic abuse and family violence. The exhibit is based on the award-winning exhibit on the subject completed by the centre in 1999. The travelling exhibit will help educate the public and increase awareness about this sensitive issue.
"The success of our domestic violence exhibit is partly what led to all three new projects. An outreach program, particularly one that is available province-wide, will have significantly more impact," Pieschel says.
Teaching youth alternatives to violence
The Interpretive Centre is also developing an interactive, educational exhibit on youth violence. The exhibit will educate visitors to the centre about effective strategies for dealing with violence. "We intend to incorporate input from a cross section of young people in the development phase of the exhibit," Pieschel says.
Groups donate bears to comfort victims
The Girl Guides and B'nai Brith have donated teddy bears to two police programs. The Girl Guides of Canada Calgary area branches donated more than 800 teddy bears to the Victim Assistance Unit as part of the Share Your Bear Program.
Each bear is tagged with the 24-hour emergency telephone number for Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) and the Calgary Police Service non-emergency number (266-1234).
The bears are distributed by Victim Assistance Support Team volunteers to children who have witnessed or been the victim of crime or tragedy.
The Calgary Lodge 816 of B'nai Brith donated 50 teddy bears to the Domestic Conflict Unit. To donate a teddy bear or start a donation drive, contact Kids Help Phone at (403) 716-4083, or the Victim Assistance Unit at (403) 206-8398.
Youthlink 2001
YouthLink 2001, a fundraising event at the Westin Hotel on May 30, is an entertaining, behind-the-scenes look at the Calgary Police Service. Participants will have a chance to operate a bomb robot, see the police dogs in action and more.
Tickets are $150 and include gourmet hors-d'oeuvres and cocktails. All ticket sales will support the development of the programs described above. Call the Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre at 206-2009 for tickets.
Located on the second floor at 316 - 7 Avenue S.E., the Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre provides visitors with an interactive experience to help educate them about police work. Visit Mondays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesdays, 12:30 - 4 p.m., or Saturdays noon - 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults ages 18 to 59 and free for all others. Call 206-4566 for more information.
New Web Pages Designed for Kids
If your child or teenager loves to surf the Internet, they may want to check out www.calgarypolice.ca. The Calgary Police Service recently launched new sections that contain a wide range of interactive and educational information designed to inform kids and teens about crime and safety issues.
"Maintaining our commitment to youth and youth issues is a priority for the Calgary Police Service," says Police Chief Jack Beaton. "While some of the issues affecting youth have been a part of society for many years, young people today also contend with a range of new social pressures." The KidZone and TeenZone sections examine the harsh realities of bullying, drugs, gangs, raves and child prostitution.
"The Calgary Police Service is looking for innovative ways to reach out to young people. My hope is that, by offering a source of information to youth on issues they might be facing, we can help them make informed choices about actions that will affect their future," says Chief Beaton.
Courses Offer Guidelines for Babysitter Safety
Courses offered by organizations such as St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross prepare young people for babysitting with basic safety and crime prevention tips, childcare strategies and guidelines for dealing with emergencies.
The following safety precautions will also help parents enjoy a more relaxed, and less worrisome, night away from the children. The Calgary Police Service encourages parents to take the babysitter on a house tour to discuss things such as:
- how to lock the doors and windows, close the blinds and curtains, and turn the outside lights on after dark,
- how the burglar alarms work and what could set them off, and
- the location of and how to use the fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
Leave the following information by the telephone:
- the address and telephone number where you can be reached,
- the time you plan to return,
- your home address and telephone number,
- emergency phone numbers: neighbour and family friend
- police, fire & ambulance - 9-1-1
- Poison Centre - 670-1414
- the cross street at the intersection nearest your house or description of your house location.
Role-play to ensure the babysitter is confident dealing with situations such as:
- if someone is at the door: Never open the door and never tell anyone you are babysitting. Speak through the door. Say the parents are busy and offer to take a message. If the person will not leave, call 9-1-1.
- if someone calls: Offer to take a message. Don't tell the caller that you are alone. Hang up if the caller becomes a nuisance and call the police if you feel threatened.
- if you hear suspicious noises or activity: Call the police at 9-1-1.
Programs Prevent Youth Crime
The Calgary Police Service Youth Services Unit operates several early intervention programs.
- School Resource Officers investigate offences, enforce the law and conduct lectures designed to prepare youth to become responsible adults. One sergeant and 15 constables serve all 25 city high schools through the program.
- Family Group Conferencing is a conflict resolution method that brings together a student offender, the victim, witnesses, parents, school counsellors and the School Resource Officer. The program has been highly successful in achieving long-lasting solutions.
- The Youth Education and Intervention Program serves over 100,000 students in Calgary's 300-plus elementary and junior high schools. The nine officers respond to calls for service and provide lectures to students on topics such as bullying, drugs and peer pressure.
The YEI program also includes the Youth Involvement Program, the Graffiti Intelligence Coordinator and the Youth Group/Gang Tracking and Intelligence Coordinator.
- The Youth Involvement Program's two constables coordinate adult volunteers to mentor youth ages 12 to 14 who are at risk for criminal involvement, with the goal of showing them an alternative to a criminal lifestyle.
- The Graffiti Intelligence Coordinator works closely with the Graffiti Control Specialist and the city's Graffiti Awareness and Abatement Program, recording and reporting graffiti incidents and assisting in investigations of graffiti vandalism.
- The Youth Group/Gang Tracking and Intelligence Coordinator's main goal is to identify youth group/gang activity in its early stages to allow for proactive police intervention.
Crime Prevention
At-risk youth saddle up
A unique Calgary Police Service program builds self-esteem in "at-risk" youth by teaching them to care for and ride horses. Up to 40 youth per year participate in the six-week Youth Involvement Program called Community Youth Wranglers.
Operating in partnership with Griffin Valley Ranches in the foothills near Calgary, the program increases the youths' self-esteem by teaching them new skills, with the ultimate goal of reducing their risk of involvement in criminal activity. Community Youth Wranglers teaches the 12- to 15-year-olds how to groom and saddle a horse, to walk, trot and gallop on horseback and to follow basic horse safety guidelines.
"When they start out they're typically unsure of themselves and nervous around the horses," says Constable Dave MacKenzie of the Youth Involvement Program. "After six weeks, the youth are comfortable and confident around the horses and eager to gallop on horseback."
After completing the Community Youth Wranglers program, the youths attend a graduation ceremony and receive a certificate of recognition signed by the chief of police. Several graduates have stayed on as Youth Leaders to act as positive role models within the program.
Reducing the risk of criminal activity
"It's not a short-term fix," says Constable MacKenzie. "By providing positive role models and mentoring we reduce the risk of the youth becoming criminally active." It is testament to the program's success that only five per cent of Community Youth Wranglers graduates have committed a criminal offence since 1999, he says.
To help establish the Community Youth Wranglers program as a permanent component of the Youth Involvement Program, the police service secured a donation for the purchase of two Arabian horses, Chiffon and Abi, in March 2001. "Our goal is to purchase seven horses instead of renting them," says Constable MacKenzie. "Griffin Valley Ranches has agreed to cover the boarding costs."
Community partners fund horses
Community Youth Wranglers is also supported by Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Alberta Department of Justice Proceeds of Crime, Crime Prevention Funding.
Traffic Safety
Checkstops curb impaired drivers
Alcohol-related collisions kill about 100 people in Alberta each year, and collisions caused by impaired driving are on the rise. In the past, Alberta's impaired driving collisions have been well below the national average.
"We're now equalling the national average," says Sergeant Steve Patterson, Alcohol Enforcement Unit. Calgary police are gearing up to respond to impaired driving concerns through a series of joint forces Checkstops that are part of a larger public awareness campaign involving the provincial government and police services province-wide.
Joint forces Checkstops will address the problem of alcohol-related collisions that kill 100 Albertans per year.
Police services and government unite against impaired driving
The campaign was developed by a team of representatives from Alberta Infrastructure, Alberta Justice, the Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge Police Services and the RCMP. "The objective of the operation is to show Albertans that police in Alberta and the provincial government are working together to tackle the problem of impaired driving," Sergeant Patterson says.
Locally, the campaign will target motorists travelling between Calgary and outlying communities. "The joint forces Checkstops will be a collaborative effort between the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service. We'll travel to communities surrounding Calgary from Banff to Strathmore and Carstairs to Okotoks," says Sergeant Patterson.
Joint forces Checkstops are currently scheduled for June 27 through 30 and October 17 through 20. The project will also involve a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the perils of drinking and driving. The Calgary Police Service will continue to hold Checkstops within city limits throughout the year.
Sergeant Patterson says the time is right for police agencies to provide a unified response to reduce the number of collisions and injuries related to driving under the influence. "It's timely for us to work with the RCMP and the communities surrounding Calgary to deter impaired driving, educate drivers and enforce impaired driving laws," he says.
Are you being driven to distraction?
Whether it's a sibling battle in the backseat, an attempt to eat lunch between errands or a cell phone that keeps ringing, avoiding distractions while driving can be a challenge. Nevertheless, a distraction that seems easy to handle at the time can have serious results.
"Driver error was the cause of more than 89 per cent of collisions in Calgary in 1999," says Inspector Vince Caleffi of the Calgary Police Service's Traffic Section.
Distractions can cause errors such as disobeying traffic signs or signals, following too closely, or making unsafe left turns across traffic. Distractions that can result in collisions include: spilling hot coffee on one's lap, dropping a lit cigarette, eating, reaching into the back seat to assist or discipline children or trying to pick up fallen objects.
"There are many distractions that can pose a risk to motorists," says Inspector Caleffi. "In many cases, the solutions are common sense. For example, drivers should pull over if a child needs assistance. Hot drinks should be secured in cup holders, and cell phone use should be kept to a minimum while the vehicle is moving."
Talking on cell phone increases risk of collision
Studies show that drivers talking on cell phones are 38 per cent more likely to be involved in a collision than those who do not use cell phones while driving. In response to concerns about driver safety, some jurisdictions have made it illegal for motorists to use cellular telephones while operating a vehicle.
Police also recommend that motorists avoid driving when tired. "Motorists should allow someone else to do the driving if they are emotionally upset, over-tired or distracted in any way," says Inspector Caleffi.
The volume of car stereos is another traffic safety issue. When motorists set their volume too high it can be distracting - not only to them, but to other drivers as well.
"Playing loud music is annoying to other drivers. More important, it can reduce a driver's ability to hear emergency vehicle sirens," says Inspector Caleffi.
To ensure you don't interfere with an emergency vehicle, check your rearview mirror and pay attention to your surroundings while driving, he says. And pull over if you see an emergency vehicle with emergency equipment activated.
"Motorists can reduce the likelihood of a collision by staying focused on the road, driving defensively and keeping a safe distance between their car and the vehicle in front of them," he says.
Red Light Cameras Aim to Save Lives
Collisions caused by Calgary drivers running red lights killed five people in 1999. Of the other 764 such collisions, 289 resulted in injuries.
In a bid to save lives and reduce injuries, the Calgary Police Service installed its first red light camera March 1 at the intersection of 162 Avenue and Macleod Trail S. By the end of 2003, a total of 24 cameras will be rotating through 84 intersections. The service also has a portable camera that can be used at problem intersections throughout the city.
The technology has been used since 1968 in more than 45 countries. Studies in Australia and the United States have shown decreases in right-angle collisions, in collision-related injuries, and in the number of drivers running red lights at intersections with the cameras.
This photo shows that the driver of the white vehicle is well back of the intersection when the light is yellow.
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This photo shows the vehicle approaching the intersection when the light is red.
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This photo shows the vehicle running the red light.
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Communities can request portable camera at problem intersections
The Calgary Police Service's new portable red light camera is the first in North America. "It is a unique safety initiative that will respond to community concerns," says Inspector Vince Caleffi, head of the Traffic Section.
Citizens can now submit a request for the camera to be set up in their community.
"We'll evaluate the request first to make sure it's a suitable intersection, and that it meets our deployment guidelines," says Acting Sergeant Mark Anderson, Specialized Traffic Unit.
The portable camera is designed to reduce red light violations at lower volume two-lane intersections. Locations will be selected based on the number of traffic safety concerns reported by the community, the intersection's collision statistics, and the ease of setting up the camera at that location.
Citizens can request that the portable camera be set up at an intersection in their community by calling the Traffic Section at 295-7900.
Regardless of the enforcement technology used, the fine for running a red light in Alberta is $57.
Running red lights likely to cause injuries, death
"The purpose of the cameras is to help reduce the number of right-angle collisions that occur when a driver runs a red light. Research has shown that a large percentage of all collisions involve red light infractions, and that these collisions are more likely to cause serious injury or even death," says Sergeant Anderson.
Intersections for fixed red light cameras are selected by the City of Calgary's engineers based on the number of collisions caused at the intersection by a driver running a red light, traffic volume, speed and ease of installation.
"Most collisions are predictable and preventable, if drivers focus on the road and apply the brakes rather than the gas when a light turns yellow," Inspector Caleffi says.
The Red Light Camera Program is part of Operation Collision Reduction, a program that combines education and enforcement to increase traffic safety. Operation Collision Reduction was created by the Mission Possible Traffic Safety partnership between the City of Calgary, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Regional Health Authority, Coalition of Alberta Auto Insurers and the Alberta Motor Transport Association.
Red light camera locations
By the end of 2003, police plan to rotate 24 cameras through 84 intersections in Calgary as part of Operation Collision Reduction. The following are the locations of fixed red light cameras to be installed in 2001.
- Macleod Tr. and 162nd Ave. S.E., Southbound
- John Laurie Blvd. and 53rd St. N.W., Eastbound
- Barlow Tr. and 61st Ave. S.E., Westbound
- 4th St. and 6th Ave. S.W., Northbound
- Macleod Tr. and 12th Ave. S.E., Northbound
- 16th Ave. and 68 St. N.E., Southbound
- Centre St. and 20th Ave. N., Northbound
- Richmond Rd. and Sarcee Tr. S.W., Southbound
PanCanadian - Exploring Community Youth Programs
Exploring Community Youth Programs
PanCanadian's business is natural resources but we haven't forgotten that the most precious natural resource is the young people in our communities. They are our future and they are why PanCanadian sponsors a number of programs to help make our community a better place for youth - and all of us. These programs include:
Hull Child and Family Services
Provides intensive residential treatment, remedial education, and specialized home and community-based care to Alberta's most damaged children, as well as our community's most troubled families.
Wood's Homes
Promotes and restores the development and well-being of children and their families within the community. Wood's Homes has become a place where young people with emotional and behavioural problems, often the result of personal, family and societal stresses and traumas, have an opportunity to gain the education and skills they need to succeed in our community.
Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre
Offers adolescents a fresh start on a more productive and satisfying life. It offers a chance for them to see themselves and the world from a new, more positive drug free perspective and to cope with life's challenges and opportunities, its emptations and rewards in a successful manner. The Centre's aim is to produce graduates who are happy, well-balanced, self-actualizing human beings.
Alberta Children's Hospital Child Abuse Program
PanCanadian's contribution provides victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome with access to therapy and other interventions that might hasten their healing process as well as other areas of need in the Child Abuse Program.
Calgary Block Watch Council
Is a community crime prevention program that encourages community members to work together to reduce and prevent crime in their neighbourhoods. Block Watch oversees 132 community programs in Calgary.
AADAC Resiliency Prevention Campaign
Encourages adults to become involved as role models in children's lives, which helps these children rise above difficult life circumstances - thus helping to prevent alcohol, drug and gambling problems.
PanCanadian's social vision
Our company's continued success lies in the creativity and innovation of our people, and in the well-being of the communities in which we liveand work. We will support and uphold them. Our health depends on the health of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land that sustains us. We will conserve and protect them. Our future lies in the hearts and minds of our children. We will nurture and encourage them.
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