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News & Events
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Police Advisor
Spring 2002 Edition
Message from the Chief
Planning ahead to keep Calgary safe
Calgary Police officers and civilian members work to keep Calgary safe year-round. At the same time, it's important that we continue to plan for a safe tomorrow. Some of our plans for the future are outlined in this issue of the Police Advisor.
Business plan provides blueprint for next three years
To ensure we continue to provide top-quality policing services to Calgarians, the Calgary Police Service has developed a new business plan. We started with a comprehensive review, considering current and future issues facing the Service, citizen concerns and input from our employees.
The result of our combined planning efforts is the Calgary Police Service 2002 - 2004 Business Plan, a blueprint to guide our activities over the next three years. This blueprint will help us keep Calgary safe while continuing to be a progressive, leading-edge policing agency with the ability to attract and retain employees of the highest calibre and integrity.
Planning for a successful G8 Summit
The Service is currently planning for a more immediate challenge - the G8 Summit in Kananaskis Country this June. The G8 Summit Security Operations team is a joint operation between the Calgary Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The RCMP are focusing on public safety in Kananaskis, while the Calgary Police Service is focusing on public safety in the city. We will also have the assistance of several partners from policing agencies across Canada before and during the event.
Planning security for the World Petroleum Congress in 2000 gave us invaluable experience in intelligence-based policing and working with other police services. We have the experience, knowledge and support to effectively plan for a safe and highly successful G8 Summit. Our goal is to police a peaceful event, protecting international visitors and local citizens and property, while safeguarding the rights of citizens to lawful protest.
Hiring to prepare for growth
Continued population growth in Calgary, combined with an increase in the number of retiring officers, has challenged the Calgary Police Service to attract new recruits and maintain adequate levels of service. Our Recruiting Unit recently finished a successful recruiting campaign that brought us to our full complement of officers. A new campaign will begin this fall.
Calgary Police Service officers enjoy a diverse and rewarding career with many opportunities for professional and personal growth. We will continue building a Police Service that reflects the city's diversity by encouraging applications from across the spectrum of Calgary's many cultural groups.
Addressing citizens' concerns
Considering the priorities of Calgarians plays an important role in all of our planning efforts. This issue of the Advisor provides valuable information to address some of your top priorities as identified in our last community survey. You'll find crime prevention tips related to house break-ins, along with valuable information about traffic safety and our strategies to prevent youth crime.
The Police Advisor is one means we use to keep citizens informed about police programs. Our Web site is another. Over the past year, we've added and updated more than 120 pages, redesigned others and reorganized the site to make it easier to navigate.
We're interested in strengthening communication between the Service and the citizens of Calgary. If you have any comments about this edition of the Police Advisor or if you want to know more about crime and safety topics, please e-mail us at cps@calgarypolice.ca or fax us at 216-5358.
Policing Career Diverse and Exciting
Diverse challenges, state-of-the-art investigative technology, and the chance to make a difference in your community - these are just some of the advantages a career in policing offers.
The Calgary Police Service expects to hire more than 500 new recruits and experienced officers over the next five years because of a growing population combined with an anticipated surge in officer retirements.
Diverse opportunities make police work interesting
The Recruiting Unit encourages applications from qualified candidates from all of Calgary's diverse communities. "We're looking for individuals from all cultural, educational and working backgrounds who want diverse challenges and lots of opportunity," says Sergeant Brett Marklund, head of the Recruiting Unit.
A career in policing offers a variety of exciting opportunities. "In what other line of work can you learn the skills fundamental to policing and then build on them in any of 109 specialty units?" says Sergeant Marklund. "As a police officer, you can work in the same place for 25 years but have a dozen different jobs."
The variety of specialty units, from the Mountain Bike Unit and Canine to the Drug Unit and Commercial Crime, means there's an area of interest for everyone.
Constable Scott Boyd joined the Calgary Police Service two years ago because he was interested in helping the community and liked the diversity policing offered. "I enjoy the flexibility of being a police officer. You can excel in whatever area you decide is best for you and there's so much room for development," he says.
Constable Boyd has already switched jobs within the Service. After starting out working the street as a district officer, his background in communications helped him land a public affairs position on the G8 Summit Security team. "I'm coordinating internal communication between the Calgary Police Service and the other policing agencies from across Canada that will be assisting during the G8 Summit in Kananaskis," he says.
Police work with state-of-the-art technology
Technology has changed the work of a police officer. "It's definitely making our job easier, but it also brings challenges," says Sergeant Marklund.
Over the past several years, the Service has invested in high-tech equipment to enhance investigations, including a state-of-the-art DNA drying facility, an ultrasonic cleaning system to assist with fingerprint recovery, and an inflatable shelter that protects environmentally sensitive crime scene evidence.
Police also have technological help in locating suspects, from infrared sensors on the HAWC1 helicopter to GPS satellite-assisted surveillance. Interconnected databases help police in different jurisdictions share information about the movement of criminals across the country. The downside of advanced technology is the element of society that uses it to commit crimes.
For the Police Service, cell phones, video-conferencing and computers have improved communication. Constable Rosa Palombi, who has been with the Service since last June, says technology makes her work easier. "Having a laptop in our vehicle allows us to do a lot of work without having to drive back to the office," she says.
The laptop system allows Palombi to check case files, take dispatch calls, access a mapping system, and do local and national inquiries about possible suspects. "All of these things contribute to officer safety, because you have everything available to tell you what the history is so you're prepared when you enter a situation," she says.
In fact, one reason Constable Boyd joined the Calgary Police Service was to contribute to the community. "I wanted to come home after work every day and feel I'd made a difference. Being a police officer provides that opportunity," he says.
Police officers contribute to the community
Constable Palombi also enjoys her contribution to the community as a police officer. "Every day takes you somewhere different. Every day you learn something new. I like how dynamic it is," she says.
For information on how to apply to become an officer, go to the Recruiting Unit website.
Preventing Cybercrime
Securing your home when you leave should be second nature. But in today's wired world, criminals can enter your home without setting a foot inside. Cybercrime is on the rise, and education is the first step toward ensuring you don't become a victim.
Calgary is tied with Ottawa for the highest rate of home Internet use in Canada, with more than 65 per cent of households connected to the World Wide Web. While having the Internet at your fingertips has many advantages, there are also risks.
Cybercrime is any criminal act involving the Internet
Taking steps to protect yourself and your family from cybercrime is becoming as important to home security as locking your doors.
Internet use is growing at a phenomenal rate. Cybercrime is also on the rise and will continue to rise proportionately to Internet use," says Constable Gerry Bailey of the Service's Crime Prevention Unit.
Cybercrime is any criminal act involving the Internet, including cyber-stalking, cyber-kidnappings, e-fraud, virus attacks, identity theft, document theft, plagiarism, and organized crime or terrorist activities that rely on the Internet to pass on information and build networks.
Calgary police not only investigate cybercrime, but also educate people on how to prevent it. The Crime Prevention Unit has developed a cybercrime prevention presentation for computer users of all ages entitled Keeping Safe Through the Internet and Emerging Technologies.
The unit has made the presentation to communities, schools, business and government organizations, and law enforcement and security personnel, reaching 2,500 people in the past year. Last November, it was recognized as a "best practices" model for law enforcement at a conference hosted by the International Society for the Policing of Cyberspace.
"The demand for information on cybercrime prevention has just exploded," says Constable Bailey. "We've had extremely positive feedback. Every time we do one of these lectures, people are just blown away - they can't believe how much there is to learn and they want to know more."
To further increase awareness, the Calgary Police Service has partnered with the University of Calgary to develop a course on cybercrime prevention. The first session was offered to law enforcement and security professionals in April, with plans underway to offer another this fall.
"It's a unique partnership. We sat down together, put all our knowledge of cybercrime on the table, and worked together to develop a continuing education course on cybercrime prevention," says Constable Bailey.
Guidelines for computer security
To protect yourself and your family from cybercrime, start with these simple guidelines for computer and Internet security:
- Don't download freeware or shareware from Web sites you're unfamiliar with or don't trust.
- Don't swap software, games or files unless you're certain they don't contain viruses.
- Don't open e-mail attachments unless you know who they're from.
- Don't respond to spam or junk mail.
- Don't give personal information in chat rooms.
- Never use pirated or copied software.
- Protect personal information stored on your computer using a good firewall, strong passwords and encryption. Update your firewall and encryption regularly.
- Be careful about giving credit card or social insurance numbers over e-mail or to Web sites that you don't trust or that don't use security.
- Avoid downloadable newsgroup files.
- Update antivirus software regularly.
- Use random passwords; avoid family names and change your password frequently (once a month is recommended).
- Make sure your children understand they must never agree to meet someone in person whom they've met online, unless they have your approval, take an adult along and meet in a busy, public place.
- Maintain a current backup of your data.
- Stay informed about changes in Internet technology and security.
Youth Programs Help Prevent Crime
One of the most effective ways to prevent crime is by helping our society develop healthier children, stronger families, better schools and more cohesive communities.
Calgary Police Service officers make a difference in the lives of Calgary's young people by interacting with them in a positive way.
In recent years, the Calgary Police Service has adopted a proactive approach involving increased intervention and prevention efforts, in addition to a reactive response to criminal acts.
"In the past we looked at crime prevention as locks and bolts. As important as that is, we also need to look at the root causes of crime," says Constable Shalin Kashyap of the Crime Prevention Unit.
This strategy is called Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPSD). CPSD aims to build safer communities by addressing the social conditions that can lead to anti-social attitudes and criminal behaviour in youth. Almost 30 per cent of crime in Calgary is committed by 12- to 17-year-olds, an age group that represents only eight per cent of the population.
Social factors linked to criminal behaviour include:
- inadequate living conditions,
- poverty,
- poor parenting,
- individual personality and behavioural factors,
- associating with peers involved in a delinquent or criminal lifestyle,
- poor educational achievement or learning disabilities,
- unemployment or lack of training
As much as limited resources allow, the Calgary Police Service has integrated the CPSD model into a number of its strategies. For example, the Service runs or is a partner in several programs that address youth issues and enhance the social development of young people. They provide the opportunity for Calgary Police officers and other adults in the community to be positive role models for children.
"Our investment in children and youth is a powerful weapon in our anti-crime arsenal. We need to help them grow up with the skills and moral values to be good citizens," says Constable Kashyap.
Calgary Police officers have initiated many programs for youth
The Calgary Police Service is involved in several youth programs aimed at preventing youth crime by encouraging positive social development.
Cops for Kids is a mentorship program that pairs police officers with Calgary youth to attend activities such as sporting events. The program launched this spring with a partnership between the Calgary Police Service and Big Sisters and Big Brothers of Calgary. It offers children the chance to learn about law enforcement and interact with police officers while they're waiting to be paired with a Big Sister or Big Brother. Cops for Kids is sponsored by TransAlta Corporation, with meals provided by the Beddington, Beacon and Thorncliffe Safeway stores.
Adopt-A-School fosters positive interaction between police officers and youth in schools. Community liaison officers and team constables volunteer as role models in elementary and junior high schools to build rapport with students.
TEAMS (Together Educating And Mentoring Students) helps show kids the benefits of staying in school, of working toward goals and of going to university. The program - run by the University of Calgary Dinos athletics department with support from the Calgary Police Service Youth Education and Intervention Unit - brings together university athletes, police officers and students for mentoring. Athletes talk to students about issues selected by the school, such as bullying, peer pressure and learning to make positive choices.
Community Youth Wranglers is designed to increase the self-esteem of youth age 12 to 14 and reduce their risk of involvement in criminal activity. About 40 youth participate in the horse camp each year, which is operated by the Calgary Police Service in partnership with Griffin Valley Ranch.
Officers reward children for positive contributions in SuperKids program
A pilot project has been launched in District 6 that provides an opportunity for officers and children to interact in a positive setting. SuperKids targets children aged six to 13 who may otherwise have no interaction with the police, with the goal of helping them see the benefit of being contributing members of society.
"Officers will carry a book of SuperKids coupons and small promotional items and use them to reward children they see making a positive contribution," says Constable Eleanor Wagner, SuperKids Program Coordinator.
Examples of positive contributions include picking up trash, helping a senior, cutting grass or shovelling snow. SuperKids can redeem their coupons for treats at a participating sponsor's location. To date, Dairy Queen, 7-11 and Rogers Video have come on board as sponsors. The child's parents will receive a letter of recognition and a SuperKids bumper sticker from the Calgary Police Service.
"We're excited about the potential of this program," says Constable Wagner. "We believe it could have positive effects that reach far beyond the young people who receive awards. The bottom line is that focusing on positive behaviour can only have positive results."
New Bicycle Helmet Law Takes Effect
There's a new incentive for children to wear a helmet when they climb on their bikes this summer - it's the law. New Alberta legislation requires anyone under age 18 to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle or riding in a bicycle seat.
The law took effect May 1, 2002. It means parents are responsible to ensure their children wear a properly fitting, safety-approved helmet. "A lot of head injuries occur when people fall off their bikes," says Constable Hollis Buggie of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Education Unit.
In Calgary, children under 14 may ride on the sidewalk. Everyone else must ride single file on the right-hand side of the road. As of May 1, 2002, anyone under age 18 must wear a helmet while operating a bicycle or riding in a bicycle seat.
To educate Calgary children about bike safety, the Traffic Education Unit is conducting bike safety lectures in public and separate schools throughout May. "We try to get to as many schools as possible each year in the month of May to talk about bike safety. We go in conjunction with the public health nurses, who provide extra education about why a helmet is so important in preventing injury," says Constable Buggie.
To ensure your family rides safely this summer, use properly fitting helmets and keep in mind the following safety tips for cyclists:
- Ensure your bike is the proper size - you should be able to touch the ground when you're on the seat.
- Ensure your bike is in good working condition with proper safety equipment, including lights, reflectors and a warning device such as a bell or horn.
- Cyclists, like motorists, are required to obey all traffic laws, including signs, signals, and rules for passing other vehicles.
- In Calgary, children under 14 may ride on the sidewalk. Older teens and adults must ride their bikes in single file along with traffic on the right-hand side of the road.
- Use caution near busy intersections and the entrances to driveways and alleys.
- Use proper hand signals so other vehicles know what you're doing.
- Remember that pedestrians always have the right of way on sidewalks and pathways. Use your bell to warn them before you pass.
- Be sure to teach your children about bike safety before they begin riding, and consider enrolling them in a bicycle safety class.
Safety helmet standards can be found through the Government of Alberta.
Crime Stoppers Helps Police Solve Crimes
Ever wonder how Crime Stoppers pays cash for tips without knowing your name, address or phone number? Some people may be reluctant to come forward with valuable information because they're worried about protecting their identity. Constable Robin Van Gastel of Crime Stoppers says they have nothing to worry about.
"When they call in and give us information, we give them a tip number that becomes their unique identity," he says. "That tip number allows them to call back later to check on the outcome of the investigation, and to find out how to collect their reward if the investigation was successful."
Callers given a tip number to protect their identity
Crime Stoppers protects the identity of its "tipsters" by not recording calls, not subscribing to call display and by paying in cash. Crime Stoppers only wants the tipster's information, not their name. Tipsters use their tip number to collect their cash reward from a predetermined location.
They have up to a year to collect the reward, so no one but the tipster needs to know when the cash is collected. "No one else - including the police - has any idea where or when that transaction occurs," says Constable Van Gastel.
Crime Stoppers has helped make 4,400 arrests and seize $74 million in illegal drugs
Since it was introduced in Calgary in 1982, Crime Stoppers has awarded over $670,000 to anonymous callers. The not-for-profit organization raises money from private sources and does not accept government funding. The Crime Stoppers office is staffed by two members of the Calgary Police Service and two civilian coordinators. Volunteers from Mount Royal College's Criminal Justice program answer the toll-free tips line and direct the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.
In the Calgary area, the program has helped police recover $11.2 million in stolen property, seize $74 million in illegal drugs, clear over 10,000 criminal cases and make almost 4,400 arrests.
On April 1, 2002, all Fire and EMS vehicles began displaying a large Crime Stoppers decal with the new logo and the Canada-wide phone number, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
"Police vehicles display Crime Stoppers decals, but adding them to Fire and EMS vehicles will increase visibility at crime scenes," says Constable Van Gastel. "Having the number on the vehicles reminds people that if they feel the need to come forward anonymously, they can do so by calling Crime Stoppers with information to help solve the crime."
If you have information about unsolved crimes, wanted individuals, or growing or possession of drugs, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). For current information on wanted individuals and criminal activities, watch Crime Stoppers' weekly crime re-enactments on Shaw TV Channel 10 Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays or visit the Web site at www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.
Photo Radar Reduces Speeding
A growing stack of studies evaluating the impact of photo radar on driving behaviour is showing impressive, and positive, results.
Academics, governments and industry groups are leading the pack of those spearheading research here and in Europe that prove photo radar is an effective tool in reducing speed.
A study conducted in Calgary in 1992, five years after photo radar was introduced, found the average speed on the Deerfoot had dropped by 10 km/h.
Photo radar helps increase awareness of speeding
As part of the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section's overall traffic safety initiative, photo radar plays an important role in deterring drivers from surpassing the limit and in increasing awareness of speeding. By striving for voluntary compliance with the speed limit, the objective of the Service's traffic safety initiative is to change driver behaviour for the better.
Constable Ivan Ward, Photo Radar Coordinator with the Calgary Police Service Traffic Section's Specialized Traffic Enforcement Unit, says people will slow down to avoid an infraction. "The possibility that a Special Constable is stationed up ahead with a photo radar unit can impact driver behaviour," he says.
In a survey, Calgarians named speeding as the second most important policing issue, ranking only behind residential break-ins. Traffic issues in general - including traffic violations, parking complaints, collisions and drunk driving - were cited as a significant neighbourhood problem by 34 per cent of Calgarians and as a significant citywide problem by 38 per cent.
Citizens with traffic safety concerns in their neighbourhood may submit a Traffic Service Request to the Police Service to request photo radar or a portable red light camera in their community by calling their community liaison officer, the Service's non-emergency line at 266-1234, or the Traffic Section at 295-7900.
An analysis of B.C. speed trends conducted by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia for a four-year period beginning when photo radar was introduced in 1996, showed a decrease in drivers travelling 11 km/h or more over the limit. Photo radar's effectiveness is "undisputed," says the Canada Safety Council, noting that in Norway it is credited with a 20-per-cent drop in injury collisions.
The Alberta government has established strict guidelines dictating when and where this enforcement tool can be used, says Constable Ward. Increasing public awareness about photo radar is also entrenched in the guidelines, ensuring appropriate signs are posted in areas where it might be deployed. The Calgary Police Service regularly informs the media of locations and also posts them on the Traffic Safety section.
Guidelines determine site selection
Photo radar sites are not selected randomly, but are chosen following government guidelines. Visit the Government of Alberta for complete guidelines.
"The photo radar guidelines ensure this tool is used in a fair and consistent manner," says Constable Ward. "We follow those guidelines, but the best way for drivers to avoid getting a photo radar ticket is really pretty simple - don't speed."
Organized Crime Costs Billions
Drug trafficking, theft of vehicles for profit, prostitution, child pornography, and credit card fraud. These are some of the offences that cost Canadians billions of dollars annually and are linked by the common thread of organized crime.
The investigation of these and related activities, whether committed by members of a recognized organized crime group or simply by organized criminals, is the mandate of the five units of the Calgary Police Service Organized Crime Control Section.
Organized crime much more than drug trafficking
"Several surveys conducted in Alberta and across Canada have found that the full extent of organized crime activities isn't fully understood by the general population," said Inspector Murray Stooke, head of the section. "Most people know organized crime groups are usually heavily involved in the illegal drug market, but they may not consider white-collar crime to be an example of organized crime."
Organized crime groups have been linked to criminal activities including drug trafficking, environmental crime, contraband smuggling, white-collar crime, migrant trafficking, counterfeiting, auto theft and money laundering.
Locally, provincially and nationally, organized crime groups have been linked to several criminal activities including drug trafficking, environmental crime, contraband smuggling, white-collar crime, migrant trafficking, counterfeiting, auto theft and money laundering, according to a 1998 Organized Crime Impact Study prepared for the Solicitor General of Canada.
The Organized Crime Control Section comprises the Vice Unit, Drug Unit, Auto Theft/Arson Unit, Commercial Crime Unit and the Calgary Criminal Intelligence Section. The detectives in each unit investigate crimes specific to their unit, but also always watch for indicators of organized crime involvement. Those indicators feed into the larger responsibility of the section.
"The section's overall focus and mandate is to investigate, monitor and project trends in organized crime in Calgary," Inspector Stooke said.
But the societal impact of these crimes is not easily quantifiable. "You can't put a number on what it costs society because it's not always a situation in which you can say a legitimate group lost x amount of dollars because of a specific illegal activity," said Inspector Stooke. "The factors of lost potential in the case of young people using drugs, neighbourhood property values dropping because of open drug dealing, or the possible health threat of illegally disposed hazardous waste, are not items that a dollar figure can be readily attached to. But these are all very real costs to our community."
Did you know?
"The treatment and disposal of hazardous waste is a highly profitable sector and one that is exceptionally vulnerable to fraudulent practices engaged in by Organized Crime groups? It is highly likely that organized criminals are involved in the Canadian industry?"
Smuggling of alcohol, tobacco and jewelry results in a loss of government revenue of approximately $1.4 billion annually, based on 1995 estimates.
Economic or "white-collar" crime has been recognized as a significant organized crime activity. From 1995 to 1997, fraud in Canada was estimated to cost a minimum of $5 billion to $9 billion.
Organized crime groups are believed to be heavily involved in the trade of counterfeit products, an illegal activity that will likely exceed $1 billion a year.
Unrecovered stolen vehicles are generally assumed to have been taken by organized criminals to be resold or chopped for parts. Vehicles stolen in Canada are routinely shipped to Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
A rough estimate of the amount of illicit funds laundered in Canada per year is between $5 billion and $17 billion.
SOURCE: 1998 Organized Crime Impact Study Highlights, Solicitor General of Canada.
Organized criminals focus on one illegal activity
Think of organized crime, and the Mafia or outlaw motorcycle gangs usually come to mind. These recognized organized crime groups are generally involved in a range of criminal activities such as drug production and trafficking, money laundering and credit card fraud.
"Organized criminals" may not be members of a recognized organized crime group
Other criminals are not necessarily connected to a recognized organized crime group, but focus on a specific illegal activity.
An example is a vehicle "chop shop," where the person running the operation may have a network of people stealing vehicles, dismantling them, and transporting and selling the parts. While the central figure isn't part of a recognized organized crime group, he or she is definitely "organized."
The generally recognized organized crime groups active in Alberta and monitored by Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA) are Asian-based organized crime groups; Aboriginal street gangs; traditional organized crime (the Mafia); Eastern European organized crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
CISA was created in 1998 and is responsible for coordinating joint-forces operations targeting organized crime activities. It also monitors serious crimes such as the sexual victimization of children, illegal movement of firearms, contraband smuggling and technological crime.
Police Will be Ready for G8 Summit
Exactly two years after policing a successful World Petroleum Congress, the Calgary Police Service is actively preparing for another major security challenge - the hosting of the G8 Summit in Kananaskis Country this June.
"The World Petroleum Congress gave us invaluable experience in intelligence-based policing and in working with other police services. We're applying that knowledge to preparations for the Summit," says Calgary Police Service Inspector Al Redford, G8 Summit Security Operations.
The G8 Summit Security Operations team is a joint operation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Calgary Police Service. The RCMP are focusing on public safety in Kananaskis Country, while the Calgary Police Service focus is on public safety in Calgary.
Several policing partners will help with G8 security
Additional assistance leading up to and during the event will come from a number of partners, including the Department of National Defence, the Ontario Provincial Police and municipal police services from Toronto, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, among others.
The Summit Security team has a three-part goal: to ensure international leaders are protected, to safeguard the rights of citizens to lawful protest, and to provide safety and protection for local citizens and property.
The G8 Summit meetings, which take place June 26 and 27, will involve heads of state and government from the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Canada and Russia. The European Union and Spain will also be represented. Issues discussed may include international business, African development initiatives, employment, environmental issues, as well as problems linked to organized crime, the spread of drugs, arms control and terrorism.
Police recognize the possibility that the Summit could bring anything from small, peaceful protests to large, disruptive groups of activists to southern Alberta. "We are working to make the event as safe as possible and will ensure our response in all situations is proportionate to the circumstances. We will be ready," says Inspector Redford.
Standing security organizers in good stead is the fact Calgarians, and the Calgary Police Service, have a history of taking a measured approach to major events. The Service enjoys a high level of community support. Coupled with the positive attitude towards law and order issues in the city, that support underscores the excellent communication that exists between police and local communities.
WPC experience helped with G8 strategies
As well, the Calgary Police Service's collective experience, combined with the benefits of working in close cooperation during the past several months with its RCMP partners, has given security organizers a tremendous ability to plan effectively. Much has been learned from analysing other events, and that knowledge is now being applied to planning security for the G8. For example, planning security for the World Petroleum Congress helped the Calgary Police Service develop strategies that address the kinds of questions and issues security organizers are challenged with today.
Calgary parents warned activists may target youth to get participants
One important example of this - and one which Inspector Redford suggests parents of young people should take particular note of - is the fact that certain elements of the activist community targeted local schools and surrounding areas with pamphlets encouraging youth to participate in WPC demonstrations. Police anticipate similar activities may occur around the time of the G8 Summit.
While police recognize and respect the rights of all citizens to participate in peaceful protest, the security planning team wants to inform everyone about the reality of large-scale crowd dynamics. Young people and their parents should know that what may seem like a harmless invitation to express freedom of speech in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity with like-minded individuals has the very real potential to turn into a violence-marred scene; a scene in which the vast majority of participants had no intention of becoming involved, but in which they get caught up nevertheless.
Goal is a win-win situation
The unfortunate reality of the new face of protest is that a small radical minority will often use the larger crowd surrounding them to commit acts of civil disobedience and violence. Through their illegal actions, this radical component detracts from the message of legitimate peaceful protestors and places the well-being of others at risk.
While police officers support the right to peaceful protest, they are also sworn to protect the public and uphold the law, therefore it is sometimes necessary that action be taken against this small minority element. The intention of police, should this situation develop during the G8, is that any response will be measured, balanced and appropriate to the circumstances at hand.
"At the end of the day, we want a win-win situation, where both demonstrators and police can achieve their objectives without unnecessary confrontation," says Inspector Redford. "Above all, our goal is to police a peaceful G8 Summit and protect the rights of all."
To find out more about G8 security planning, visit www.g8summitsecurity.ca.
Crime Prevention
Check your home security to prevent break-ins
Since 1995, Calgarians have reported three times in community surveys that their top policing priority is house break-ins.
Police continue to address this important issue through crime prevention programs and by focusing investigations on repeat offenders. In fact, police and community efforts contributed to a drop of about 30 per cent in reported house break-ins in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Lock garage doors to keep thieves out
To continue to reduce the number of break-ins, Calgary police officers focus of educating citizens about home security and crime prevention.
"Calgarians can significantly reduce the risk that a criminal will break into their home by taking the time to do a proper home security check," says Constable Gerry Bailey of the Service's Crime Prevention Unit. This may include installing a home alarm system, but many crime prevention strategies can be applied whether or not you have an alarm.
"An alarm system is useful, but it won't protect you if you leave a door unlocked," says Tamara Daku, District 6 crime analyst. Current trends suggest house break-ins are most likely to occur when doors or windows are unlocked, especially garage doors.
"Unlocked garages continue to be a primary entry for break and enters, followed by forced entry by shouldering or prying a door," Daku says.
Locking up when you leave is important, but it's also critical that your locks are tough enough to hold. Secure all windows with good locking mechanisms or metal bars and ensure doors have proper bolt locks with reinforced metal plates. "Spend some time looking around the house for potential sources of entry, and then secure them," says Daku.
For a comprehensive home security checklist, visit the Calgary Police Service Web site at www.calgarypolice.ca and follow the Crime Prevention link to Home Security. A useful brochure called Your Guide To Crime Prevention is also available at Calgary Police Service district offices and community stations. Good home security measures will ensure your home isn't a target for thieves.
Make sure your home isn't an easy target
"Criminals are generally lazy. They pick the easiest targets - the ones where they can get in and get out quickly because they don't want to get caught. The most important thing to do is make sure your home isn't an easy target," says Constable Bailey.
You can also help prevent crime in your community by getting involved in a crime prevention program such as Crime Free Multi-Housing program (509-1754).
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