City of Calgary taking steps to improve transit system safety
Efforts are underway by the City of Calgary to increase safety along its transit lines.
Monday, the city announced a multi-pronged approach heading into 2023.
The city says it is actively recruiting new peace officers and enhanced security guards, as well as piloting a "transit ambassador" program.
The goal, the city says, is to add 141 more peace officers and 31 enhanced security guards to the system.
Meanwhile, transit ambassadors will be employees who serve to increase visible presence and report incidents, as well as take questions and direct passengers.
More staff will also be added at operations control, to better keep an eye on some 1,200 CCTV feeds.
Additionally, lighting will be improved on LRT platforms from city hall to Downtown West-Kerby, so some of those cameras are better able to capture events.
"We have heard from Calgarians, and want you (to) know we are working hard to make Transit in Calgary safer," said city manager David Duckworth.
"This is a highly co-ordinated, multi-agency effort involving the Calgary Police Service, Transit Safety, Community Services, 911 and Calgary’s many community social service partners, stepping up their collaborative efforts to increase safety for Calgarians."
Monday, the city also reminded Calgarians of its TransitWatch program, which "allows Calgarians to discretely report safety concerns through our silent text services at 74100."
"In addition, our CTrain stations, platforms and MAX Purple stations are all equipped with help phones," the city said.
"We encourage riders to report any safety concerns. In situations where they feel that their safety is threatened, riders are reminded to always call 911."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TREND LINE | Canada's health care crisis: Who's accountable, and how can we fix an overburdened system?
On CTVNews.ca and YouTube: Health journalist Avis Favaro joins our Trend Line podcast, for an in-depth episode dedicated to the growing crises facing the Canadian health-care system.

Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Mexico zoo director killed and cooked 4 pygmy goats for party
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Food prices set to increase -- again -- as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores
Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada soon as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.
Video shows car driving through Vaughan, Ont. mall during 'absolutely insane' break-in
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Liberals set to introduce law delaying expansion of medically assisted dying regime
The federal government is expected to introduce a law as early as Thursday to delay the extension of medically assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder.