Why enforcement sweeps are unlikely to fix Calgary’s downtown disorder

published on March 23, 2026 by Jo Horwood and Jennifer Keiller in CBC News

In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.

The goal? To reduce crime and nuisance behaviour, both in perception and actuality.

But despite the show of force, and the time and resources behind it, experts and police alike say these sweeps will not fully solve issues of rising disorder.

And analysts suggest some practices, like clearing encampments, could make the problem worse.

The first blitz, Operation Order, happened Nov. 5 throughout the downtown core, at a time when violence there was at a six-year high, according to city statistics…