Chinook LRT Safety: Blitz Sparks Questions Amid Security Push

CALGARY — A targeted public safety blitz at the Chinook LRT station and south transit corridor has yielded significant numbers, crediting an 18-hour operation with reducing disorder in one of the city's busiest hubs. Dubbed "Operation Jingle All the Way," the initiative ran from December 22-23, 2025, and marks a shift in strategy by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) to use high-visibility, multi-agency teams to disrupt social disorder during peak travel times.

The Deeper Context

Unlike previous operations focused solely on the downtown core, Operation Jingle All the Way specifically targeted the "south leg" of the transit line, responding to growing concerns from the District 8 Community Engagement Response Team (CERT). The 18-hour blitz brought together CPS officers, Calgary Transit peace officers, and social workers for a coordinated presence.

The results, released by CPS on January 8, 2026, paint a picture of high activity but nuanced enforcement. Over the two-day period, officers executed 73 warrants and issued 72 summonses, while generating 73 calls for service. However, only 11 formal charges were laid (including for weapons possession and probation breaches), suggesting the operation leaned heavily on clearing outstanding warrants and issuing tickets rather than new criminal arrests. Additionally, teams cleared 5 encampments and seized one weapon (a baton), while conducting over 400 proactive engagements with the public.

The Critics & Costs

While the police tout the operation as a success that "noticeably reduced disorder," critics and community advocates often question the long-term efficacy of such "blitz" style enforcement. With 73 warrants executed but only 11 new charges, some argue that these surges primarily churn existing offenders through the system rather than addressing the root causes of disorder.

Furthermore, the "displacement effect" remains a concern; clearing encampments and disorder from Chinook Station often simply pushes vulnerable populations to adjacent, less-monitored areas like 39th Avenue or Heritage. As the city celebrates these tactical wins, questions persist about the sustainability of using resource-intensive, multi-agency teams for temporary relief versus the need for permanent, structural solutions to transit safety.

Looking Forward

Operation Jingle All the Way serves as a test case for the CPS's collaborative model in suburban hubs. The success of this initiative—specifically the partnership with social agencies who reported positive outcomes—will likely inform future deployments in 2026. Commuters can expect similar "surge" operations to continue as the city attempts to balance enforcement with social support to reclaim public confidence in the transit network.