New public safety program for Calgary in the works

The Alberta government says it won't be leaving out Calgary as it looks into way to improve public safety in downtown environments.
Both Jeremy Nixon, Alberta's minister of seniors, community and social services, and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis confirmed Thursday the province is working on solutions that will cater to what's needed in Calgary.
Later this month, the Edmonton Police Service and Alberta Sheriffs will embark on a 15-week pilot program aimed at putting more personnel on the ground in that city to help prevent crime.
The strategy will see EPS paired with sheriffs in order to extend operations from five days to seven and provide 20 hours of coverage in that city's downtown.
Nixon says Calgary won't be left out of a similar strategy, but discussions about what it will look like are still being worked out.
"We have the Edmonton task force (and) we also have the Calgary Task Force and so similar discussions are taking place at that level to make sure we are helping out most vulnerable in our community, but also making sure that spaces are safe for everybody," Nixon told reporters on Thursday.
Ellis says his office will be analyzing the issues of addiction, homelessness and public safety in Calgary before finalizing a plan.
(With files from Mark Villani)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden and Trudeau announce updates on clean energy, migration and defence
U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced updates on a number of cross-border issues, after a day of meetings on Parliament Hill.

LIVE UPDATES | Watch live coverage of U.S. President Joe Biden's trip to Canada
As Joe Biden makes his first trip to Canada as president of the United States, CTVNews.ca is offering live coverage of the leader's visit. Follow our live blog on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app for the latest updates.
Incredible photos show northern lights dancing across much of Canada
Sky-gazers and shutterbugs across much of Canada were treated to a spectacular display of northern lights Thursday night and into Friday morning.
Ontario crypto king kidnapped, tortured in an attempt to get millions in ransom, documents say
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Eugene Levy, Sarah Polley, Jean Chretien, the two Michaels among guests at Biden gala dinner
Notable people will be in attendance at Friday’s gala dinner with U.S. President Joe Biden, hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, including former prime ministers and celebrities.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau introduces Jill Biden to curling during Ottawa visit
The first lady of the United States got a sweeping introduction to Canadian sports culture in Ottawa Friday as Sophie Gregoire Trudeau took Jill Biden to the curling rink for her first trip to Ottawa.
U.S.-Canada migration deal aims to end walk-around crossings
The immigration deal announced Friday by U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau aims to shut down a process that has enabled tens of thousands of immigrants from across the world to move between the two countries along a back road between New York state and Quebec.
W5 Investigates | 'Canadians should be very concerned about their drinking water': W5 investigates asbestos cement pipes
W5 investigates aging asbestos pipes across Canada and the potential health hazards if it ends up in your tap water. Watch W5's 'Something in the Water' Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.
Gwyneth Paltrow expected to testify in ski collision trial
Gwyneth Paltrow is expected to testify Friday in a trial over a 2016 ski collision at a Utah ski resort, where a man claims that the movie star's recklessness caused broken ribs, brain damage and lasting physical injuries.