An advocacy group in downtown Edmonton aims to transform the city into the safest in Canada and has put forth solutions to tackle existing challenges effectively. The Downtown Revitalization Coalition’s recent report highlights ongoing issues with visible drug use and disorder in high-traffic public areas, especially downtown.
The report emphasized the impact of safety on people’s willingness to stay longer, visit frequently, and engage deeply in the city’s life, noting the current fragility of that confidence. It identified transit stations, LRT platforms, and pedway corridors as persistent hotspots for disorder, with a CBC investigation revealing a significant increase in transit-related crime over the past nine years in Edmonton.
Coun. Anne Stevenson commended the goal of making downtown Edmonton the safest in Canada, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders. While the city lacks control over police resource deployment, it has boosted its budget and peace officer hiring. However, Coalition Chair Cheryll Watson suggested cost-effective solutions, such as integrating transit and peace officers with the police force for better coordination and potential savings.
Watson recommended exploring programs like REACH and implementing a shared call center and centralized deployment to enhance effectiveness. The report also proposed establishing a 24-hour stabilization and transfer facility for individuals needing medical, addiction, and social support without requiring detention.
Although Coun. Michael Janz acknowledged the report’s merit, he noted that certain recommendations, particularly regarding addiction treatment, exceed the city’s jurisdiction and budget. The coalition sees the province, possibly through Recovery Alberta, as a potential partner in addressing these issues.
In response, a Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction spokesperson mentioned ongoing alignment with the report’s objectives to create a safe downtown environment for residents and visitors. The government aims to collaborate with various stakeholders to improve public safety in downtown Edmonton.