Thanks to everyone who attended our hybrid Community Safety Meeting on December 6. We had informative presentations by our guest speakers: Constable Raeann Watson, Highland Park’s new Community Resource Police Officer, Peace Officer Bonni Rogers, from City Bylaw Enforcement, Gerry Baxter and Jordan Debarros, both from the Calgary Residential Rental Association, and Jennifer DiMarzo, Highland Park’s City Community Social Worker. Below is an overview of some of the information that was shared.
The Calgary Police have noted that property crimes, such as Break and Enters, and car prowlings (breaking into a vehicle) have increased in multiple neighbourhoods across Calgary, as well as in other cities. This seems to be related to increased stress and job loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Calgary Police Service recommends that each crime that occurs is reported, even if it’s minor, as it helps them to allocate resources and track patterns. To report a crime in progress, dial 911. To report a crime after the fact, dial the Police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. You can also report a crime using the Calgary Police online reporting system: https://www.calgary.ca/cps/report-a-crime.html. Note, there are some crimes that cannot be reported online, but they are listed on the website. When reporting a crime or even a traffic safety issue (not a collision), provide as much detail as you can, such as the location, the time of day, and details about the issue.
Suggestions for preventing break and enters and car prowling include:
Don’t leave your garage door opener in your vehicle, because if someone gets into your vehicle, they have access to your garage and your home if it’s attached – take your garage door opener into the house with you when you get home.
Follow the 9PM routine to check that all your windows and doors are locked at 9PM, or before you go to bed.
Lock all doors on your vehicle and don’t leave items of value in it that are visible from the window.
Calgary Bylaw Enforcement can be contacted by phoning 311 or filing a 311 complaint online at https://www.calgary. ca/cfod/csc/311.html or with the 311-phone app, for issues like a property that is not properly managing things on the property. Examples of things to report to 311 include: snow not shovelled, grass not mowed, garbage not removed, trees not trimmed, dilapidated vehicles, roof in poor repair, broken down fences, etc. If you file a 311 complaint, you should receive a file number. The neighbour you file
the complaint about will not be informed who filed the complaint. Your complaint should be assigned to a Bylaw officer within 11 days to follow up with the homeowner. The neighbour then has 21 days to resolve the issue. For complaints about derelict properties (boarded up homes), it can take about 2 years before the house is demolished, as there are inspections, permits, and insurance to be looked after before it is safe to demolish. In that time, Bylaw works with the property owner to ensure the property is secure, snow is shovelled, and the grass is mowed.
The Calgary Residential Rental Association is an organization that works with and provides educational information to landlords. They recommend landlords become a member of their organization. Landlords are running a business and are governed by the Residential Tenancy Act of Alberta, as well as public health legislation and city bylaws. Most landlords are good, but it’s the problem ones who give the rest a bad name. Some bad landlords don’t care who they rent to, don’t inspect the property, don’t maintain the property, and don’t have any idea what their tenants are up to. You can report a suspicious property (such a suspected drug or gang house) to Calgary’s Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods unit, or SCAN, here: https://www.alberta.ca/report-suspicious- property.aspx.
Jennifer DiMarzo, our Community Social Worker, updated everyone on some recent initiatives in Highland Park, including: 1) the Block Connector Program to help neighbours connect with each other and share information about local resources and opportunities, 2) the Neighbourhood Grant program that can provide up to $1000 for initiatives that help us to build an inclusive neighbourhood, foster truth and reconciliation, and/or promote economic participation, 3) HPCA’s new Human Library which allows residents to book time with another resident who is willing to share their skills, talents, and interests with neighbours, 4) HPCA’s Activity Kits which allow residents to borrow a kit with all the supplies needed to do an activity with neighbours (see the Highland Park website, under Community Connections for more information).
Finally, if you want more information about a property development proposal in the neighbourhood, or anywhere in Calgary, check out the City’s Development Map page at dmap.calgary.ca. You can also contact HPCA’s Director of Development and Planning at development@hpca.ca.