Police launch multi-month downtown safety push
Operation Restore will station officers at East Village and Stephen Avenue through summer to build community trust.
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Calgary police are stationing officers permanently in downtown's East Village and Stephen Avenue starting Thursday, June 25, moving beyond one-day sweeps to a sustained presence through the summer.
Chief Katie McLellan announced the initiative, called Operation Restore, as part of the broader Safer Calgary program. It follows Operation Order, a focused enforcement day that wrapped up Wednesday after sweeping the downtown core.
"When people recognize officers in their community, it builds confidence, changes how they engage, and encourages them to share concerns and report issues," McLellan said. The consistency allows officers and partner agencies — Calgary Community Standards, Transit Public Safety, and the Alberta Sheriffs — to recognize patterns and connect vulnerable individuals to supports.
McLellan said no end date has been set for Operation Restore. Success will be measured by improvements in public feedback, perceptions of safety, and support referrals. The operation responds to repeated concerns from residents who live, work, and spend time downtown about safety and social disorder.