Safety In Our City
The national statistics are an awful indication of how Canadians have been affected – particularly since the pandemic – by the increase in homelessness and crime in our streets. The epicentre for this activity drifts towards downtown.
A number of neighbourhood associations have raised this issue with me over the past few months. The increase in people living in the streets, and the increase in property damage has been especially troubling in Calgary.
Property damage is not a victimless crime. It has real effects on all of us – from the shared increase in insurance costs, to the affected condominium board fee increases, to the increase in the cost of goods at our local vendors – we are all at least indirectly affected.
Thus far, the response of a report line has served inadequately. Compared to most other cities, Calgary’s central communities are wonderful examples of living spaces. Yet the scourge of property damage is affecting us all.
It’s time we got ahead of this growing problem. It’s an issue that spans three levels of government, and my elected colleagues at each level need to come together and move toward solutions. Federally, this means more robust laws against property damage, along with a judicial system that aids our peace officers in their efforts.
I will be coordinating with other levels of government to find ways to reduce the increasing incidence of these events. Stay tuned.
MP – Calgary Centre Greg McLean proudly serves the following Communities: Altadore, Alyth, Bankview, Bel-Aire , Bonnybrook, Britannia, Burns Industrial, Chinatown, Cliff Bungalow , Connaught (Beltline), Currie Barracks, Downtown East Village, Downtown West End, Eau Claire, Elbow Park, Elboya, Erlton, Garrison Green, Garrison Woods, Highfield, Inglewood, Killarney-Glengarry, Lincoln Park, Lower Mount Royal, Manchester, Manchester Industrial, Marda Loop, Mayfair, Meadowlark Park, Mission, Mount Royal, North Glenmore Park, Parkhill, Ramsay, Richmond-Knob Hill, Rideau Park, River Park, Roxboro, Rutland Park, Scarboro, Scarboro/Sunalta West, Shaganappi, South Calgary, Sunalta, Upper Mount Royal, Victoria Park, Windsor Park
