Downtown Safety Leadership Table
The Downtown Safety Leadership Table brought together a group of downtown leaders to help identify ways to address safety in downtown Calgary.
In March 2024, they released 28 recommendations to support safety and vibrancy in Calgary’s downtown:
How we are delivering on the recommendations
We are please to say that work is underway or complete on all 28 recommendations.
-
17 Recommendations
Wellbeing of people -
8 Recommendations
Great public spaces -
3 Recommendations
Timely response
Wellbeing of people
View the status of recommendations supporting wellbeing of people
| Rec. # | Description | % Complete (Date complete) |
|---|---|---|
| Rec. #: 4 |
Description:
Establish daytime resource centres that provide supports and access to services: Continued collaboration with community partners, with a goal of bringing new daytime spaces and programming online by Q4 2024. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2025) |
| Rec. #: 5 |
Description:
Update responses to rough sleeping to ensure dignity and safety for all populations in need: City-wide improvements to how unsanctioned structures are identified and addressed with a focus on connecting individuals with resources and improving coordination, tracking and accountability. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2024) |
| Rec. #: 9 |
Description:
Coordinate City safety and wellbeing strategies to better align and track recommendations: The City’s Community Safety and Well‑Being team will create a coordinated process to align and track all downtown safety‑related strategies, ensuring they work together without duplication or conflict. |
% Complete (Date complete):
50% |
| Rec. #: 12 |
Description:
Establish a permanent Downtown Safety Table to improve safety and support at-risk populations: A decision on whether to formalize a permanent Downtown Safety Table by Q1 2027. |
% Complete (Date complete): 50% |
| Rec. #: 13 |
Description:
Improve equitable allocation of resources among shelters, first responders and outreach agencies: Best practices review of alternative funding models and recommendations that support community needs. |
% Complete (Date complete): 60% |
| Rec. #: 14 |
Description:
Work with Government of Alberta to improve resources for mental health and addictions: Continued advocacy with partners, more transitional housing, and a plan to explore an IT solution to enable more rapid communication between front-line service providers. |
% Complete (Date complete): 35% |
| Rec. #: 15 |
Description:
Advocate for a Community Court: Ongoing and coordinated advocacy with partners to the Government of Alberta for a Community Court in Calgary. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q3 2024) |
| Rec. #: 16 |
Description:
Increase utilization of provincial specialty courts by law enforcement partners: A dedicated multi-partner approach to reducing recidivism with high system users leading to a reduction in social disorder. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2024) |
| Rec. #: 17 |
Description:
Create an easily accessible public-facing communications resource focused on downtown safety: More frequent communications and data regarding downtown safety investments and initiatives from one publicly accessible source by Q1 2025. |
% Complete (Date complete): 90% |
| Rec. #: 18 |
Description:
Develop a coordinated and secure data sharing platform focused on downtown safety: More rapid identification and communication of emerging issues with partners and Calgarians. |
% Complete (Date complete): 80% |
| Rec. #: 20 |
Description:
Increase effective coordination of outreach services downtown: More effective coordination between government and community outreach partners leading to improved service delivery to individuals experiencing vulnerabilities, and safer communities. |
% Complete (Date complete): 50% |
| Rec. #: 22 |
Description:
Support the development of affordable, supportive housing tailored to the needs of Calgarians: Progress on Home is Here – The City’s Housing Strategy and support for the housing sector to deliver services to those in housing need. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2024) |
| Rec. #: 24 |
Description:
Resource grassroots/community-led groups that support people experiencing vulnerabilities: Continued funding for non-profit and grassroots organizations and ongoing advocacy to other orders of government for increased funding to sustain and expand services. |
% Complete (Date complete): 50% |
| Rec. #: 25 |
Description:
Advocate for service hub models and funding for shelters that serve vulnerable people: Advocacy to other orders of government to ensure mental health, addiction, and health services, as well as housing options, are available to Calgarians accessing or leaving shelters. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2025) |
| Rec. #: 26 |
Description:
Create Indigenous recovery supports that reflect a culturally informed continuum of care: Continued investment in community partners that provide culturally informed programs for individuals and families and ongoing advocacy to other orders of government to advance Indigenous recovery supports. |
% Complete (Date complete): 20% |
| Rec. #: 27 |
Description:
Provide additional resource supports and opportunities for Indigenous serving organizations: Continued support for Indigenous and Indigenous-serving organizations with a focus on investments in programming that delivers downtown activations and fosters connection to the natural world. |
% Complete (Date complete): 15% |
| Rec. #: 28 |
Description:
Seek opportunities to enhance supports for youth entering into adult shelter systems: A commitment to work with government partners to ensure individuals transitioning through life stages receive uninterrupted and appropriate supports. |
% Complete (Date complete): 10% |
Great public spaces
View the status of recommendations supporting great public spaces
| Rec. # | Description | % Complete (Date complete) |
|---|---|---|
| Rec. # : 1 |
Description
:
Improve maintenance, cleanliness, and infrastructure to enhance the downtown experience: More proactive and consistent cleaning and maintenance of parks and public spaces, making downtown more welcoming and inviting.
|
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q2 2025) |
| Rec. # : 2 |
Description
:
Deliver crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) studies of high-risk hotspots: A CPTED implementation plan to ensure physical design principles are applied to improve real and perceived safety in public spaces. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2025)
|
| Rec. # : 3 |
Description
:
Improve downtown public washrooms availability and access: A comprehensive city-wide Public Washroom Strategy with recommended actions to improve washroom safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. |
% Complete (Date complete):
80% |
| Rec. # : 7 |
Description
:
Improve the Plus 15 network through assessment: Improved information-sharing, coordination, and response to immediate and chronic public safety concerns across the Plus 15 network. |
% Complete (Date complete):
75% |
| Rec. # : 8 |
Description
:
Support event activations downtown to enhance safety and nurture vibrant, inclusive spaces:Expanded funding and more downtown activations leading to greater vibrancy and increased visitation to the downtown. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2025) |
| Rec. # : 10 |
Description
:
Establish a dedicated fund for downtown and safety initiatives: Consistent and predictable funding to bolster community programming and safety improvements in the downtown public realm. |
% Complete (Date complete):
50% |
| Rec. # : 19 |
Description
:
Form a Downtown Maintenance and Safety Team that supports downtown safety and vibrancy: Continued investments in downtown cleaning and safety to ensure residents, businesses and visitors feel safe. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2024) |
| Rec. # : 23 |
Description
:
Advance the Indigenous Gathering Place (IGP) and other Indigenous places to gather: Strong partnership on the Indigenous Gathering Place initiative and opportunities to experience Indigenous cultural programs hosted out of Indigenous structures at downtown festivals and events. |
% Complete (Date complete):
30% |
Timely response
View the status of recommendations supporting timely response
| Rec. # | Description | % Complete (Date complete) |
|---|---|---|
| Rec. # : 6 |
Description
:
Enhance police and uniform presence to meet community needs: A district front counter in the downtown that is accessible to the public; continued investment in the Safety Hub model that allows uniformed officers to work collaboratively from centralized locations in areas with high calls for service. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2024) |
| Rec. # : 11 |
Description
:
Audit existing HELP buttons to identify opportunities to improve or expand: An analysis of a HELP Button system with recommendations to improve the existing system or explore new emergency alert options |
% Complete (Date complete): 25% |
| Rec. # : 21 |
Description
:
Improve coordination of policing and enforcement services: A reduction in social disorder resulting from a more streamlined, efficient, and coordinated deployment of policing, enforcement and social services in the downtown. |
% Complete (Date complete):
100% (Q4 2024) |