Graduation of 34 new transit peace officers hopes to address transit safety concerns

Calgary Transit is hopeful the 34 new transit officers hired will help commuters feel safer. Some residents are skeptical it will make a difference.

A graduation ceremony at the Mewata Armoury on Friday saw 34 new transit peace officers join the force, a unit that now has 212 officers at LRT stations and on buses in an effort to keep people safe.

“This is their day, and I want them to remember it because they’re committed to serve, and I hope that today leads to a 20-year future with the city,” said Transit Public Safety Deputy Chief Cory Porter.

“We have a district deployment model, and with the addition of 34 more officers, it will allow us to respond to calls in an orderly fashion.”

Sandra Steffens, who suffered an attack on transit that left her seriously injured and still unable to work a month and a half later, says the additional help is welcome, but she hopes to see results fast.

“We have 1.8 million people in the city. 200 officers… I don’t know. I mean, it’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough,” Steffens said.

“I’ve been to Crowfoot (Station) Friday night; there’s nothing.”

Steffens says her experience has also made her daughter feel unsafe travelling around the city.

“It’s really scary for my daughter, who’s going to a movie, a cinema in Crowfoot, and there’s no security,” Steffens said.

Porter says his thoughts are with Steffens and her family as they navigate the fallout of her attack, and he hopes the new officers go a long way in preventing similar situations from taking place.

“With the addition of 34 more officers out there, I think it makes us more visible on the other two lines and our bus lines, and we can be there and have that officer presence. Or if people see something, they can always say something,” Porter said.

Porter says the timing of the graduation is fortunate, as the Calgary Stampede is only days away, and with how busy transit gets, the extra help will be appreciated in keeping people safe.

“We know one of the key ways people get to these events is the train. So, we’re going to have extra officers out there. We’re going to be focusing on other key areas, and we want everyone to have a safe, reliable way to make it to and from the event,” Porter said.