How police patrols along 17 Avenue S.E. are paying off

CALGARY- A police initiative to better patrol International Avenue appears to be paying off.

16 beat officers now regularly walk 17 Avenue S.E. between 28 St. and 52 St., policing some of the most notorious drug spots in the city. They have laid 141 charges since the program kicked off in July, and those who frequent the area say it makes them feel safer.

“It can have its moments, that’s for sure, and if you show a cops’ presence it deters it a lot in the first place,” says resident Shawn Park. “It kind of keeps people calm instead of throwing a fist or knife at somebody.”

It’s also having a positive effect on businesses in the area.

“A lot of people are feeling safe coming to the store, their families were not coming before because people were having drugs in alleys and all that,” says Abid Khan, who owns a Tim Horton’s franchise along 17 Ave.

Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson says this is just the beginning of a major initiative that will be unveiled on Thursday in Forest Lawn, which is aimed at reaching out to children and building trust with police.