Twice in 24 Hours: Bowness Break-ins Expose Calgary's 'Revolving Door' Justice
We’re hearing about a string of break-ins in Calgary's northwest. Police caught a suspect, but it's a good reminder to keep our homes secure during the holidays.
The Holiday Season Intruder: A Bowness Reality Check
As Calgary decks its halls and prepares for the festive season, a stark reminder of persistent property crime has rattled residents in the city’s northwest. This past weekend, the Bowness community experienced a concerning series of events: a man allegedly attempted to enter a home on 84 Street N.W. in the early hours of Sunday, December 21, 2025. Just over an hour later, homeowners on 34 Avenue N.W. awoke to find an unknown man inside their residence. Police quickly identified and arrested 22-year-old Jett Ethan Devost, charging him with break and enter. But the story doesn't end there. In a move that has many Calgarians raising eyebrows, Devost was reportedly released, only to be found by police the very next morning, Monday, December 22, 2025, allegedly unlawfully inside a home under construction on 86 Street N.W.. He now faces two counts of break and enter and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Beyond the Front Door: Your Wallet, Your Peace of Mind
For a regular Calgarian, these incidents hit hard – not just on a sense of security, but directly on the wallet. Beyond the emotional toll of a home invasion, which can leave a lasting sense of vulnerability, there are tangible financial impacts. Homeowners in communities like Bowness could face a hike in insurance premiums, with some residents across Alberta already seeing significant increases in their rates, even without a claim, due to broader factors like extreme weather and rising rebuilding costs. Filing a claim after a break-in, especially if property crime is deemed prevalent in an area, could exacerbate this, with some reports indicating a potential rise of 10% or more. Then there are the deductibles, paid out-of-pocket, and the costs of repairing damaged entry points or replacing valuables that might exceed policy limits. Investing in deterrents like security cameras, robust locks, and motion-sensor lighting, while crucial for peace of mind, also represents an upfront cost that many are forced to consider to protect their property.
Calgary's Revolving Door: The Prolific Offender Predicament
The alleged quick re-offending by the same individual points to a broader, frustrating challenge within Calgary’s justice system: the 'revolving door' for repeat offenders. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) has openly acknowledged the struggle with a small number of 'high system users' or 'prolific offenders' who are disproportionately responsible for a large volume of property crime. While the city’s overall Crime Severity Index has seen some decline, these consistent patterns of recidivism fuel public frustration. The CPS even operates a 'Prolific Offender Engagement Team' (POET) aimed at breaking this cycle, monitoring compliance with release conditions and attempting to intervene. Yet, as this case tragically illustrates, the system often grapples with keeping accused individuals from re-entering the community and allegedly re-offending.
More Than Just Bars: A Deeper Look at Recidivism
Calgary's Police Chief has previously advocated for bail reforms, emphasizing the 'inordinate amount of time and resources' spent supervising individuals released on bail, only for them to often be re-released even after breaching conditions. This perspective, shared by many on the front lines, highlights the tension between individual rights and community safety. However, criminology experts often point to a more complex picture. They argue that habitual offending signals deeper systemic issues, frequently rooted in poverty, neglect, or substance abuse. From this vantage, merely incarcerating offenders without addressing these underlying causes may offer short-term relief but fails as a long-term solution. A holistic approach, blending enforcement with robust social supports, is often proposed to genuinely integrate individuals back into society and prevent future crimes, rather than simply cycling them through the correctional system.
Standing Guard: Community Vigilance and Systemic Change
As Calgarians navigate the holiday season, these Bowness break-ins serve as a critical reminder: vigilance is our first line of defense. Always double-check your doors and windows, even when you're home, because an unlocked entry is an open invitation. Consider installing security cameras with battery backup and ensuring your outdoor motion-sensor lights are functioning, especially around entry points. Don’t let your porch become a tempting target for 'porch pirates' – arrange for package pickups or secure delivery options. If you’re away, ask a trusted neighbour to clear your driveway of snow, collect mail, and generally make your home look occupied. And crucially, if something feels off, trust your gut. For crimes in progress, dial 911 immediately. For incidents that have already occurred, reach out to the Calgary Police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or report online at calgary.ca/cps/report-a-crime. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at calgarycrimestoppers.org, or via the P3 Tips app. While community action is vital, the broader conversation about addressing prolific offenders and reforming bail practices remains critical for the long-term safety and security of our city.
