Calgary police arrest 20 in downtown enforcement blitz

Calgary Police Launch Downtown Enforcement Blitz

Dozens of Calgary police officers, transit peace officers, and social agency workers swarmed the city's downtown on Wednesday as part of a major crackdown.

Operation Order: A New Approach to Crime

Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan, speaking in front of uniformed officers and partner groups, declared firmly that "enough is enough." This initiative, called Operation Order, marks McLellan's first significant public action since assuming office earlier in 2025. The operation is a key part of the larger Safer Calgary program.

Focus Areas and Actions

Targeted neighborhoods included East Village, Stephen Avenue, and Century Gardens.
The team’s objectives were to enforce laws, issue fines, make arrests, and connect at-risk individuals to support services.

Results by Mid-Afternoon

20 arrests with associated criminal charges.
77 summonses issued.
Actions taken on 180 outstanding warrants.

Notable Incident

One of the early fines was issued to Grant Robinson for discarding a cigarette butt, resulting in a $120 ticket.

"This is gonna stop me from probably another month because I have to pay it," Robinson said. "I won’t be able to save money because I have to give the government money."

Police Patrol Activities

Reporters witnessed officers conducting patrols through back alleys and transit platforms, emphasizing the operation’s intensive approach to downtown safety and order.

Author’s summary: Calgary’s new police chief initiated a comprehensive downtown crackdown targeting crime and social disorder, resulting in numerous arrests, fines, and community support efforts.

CityNews Calgary — 2025-11-05