Parkade Pandemonium: Are You a Gatekeeper or a Tailgater's Target in Calgary?

The Gist

Ah, the classic Calgary conundrum: you pull up to your residential parkade on a blustery Tuesday, fob in hand, the door grinds open, and then you see it. Another vehicle, inching closer, clearly intending to slip in behind you without their own key fob. This, my friends, is \"tailgating\" or \"piggybacking\" in the world of physical security, and it's more than just a minor annoyance. It's an unauthorized entry into a secured space, and it opens the door to a host of problems, from petty vandalism to serious personal assaults and vehicle theft.

Impact on Calgarians

We're not just talking about a dinged bumper here. The consequences hit us where it hurts: our wallets and our sense of security. Calgary has seen a staggering 59% increase in auto theft claims costs from 2021 to 2023, jumping from $20.8 million to $33 million. And consider this chilling fact: over 1 in 10 property crimes in our city occur in parking lots or garages. That's right, your supposedly secure parkade, whether it's off Deerfoot or tucked away, could be a prime target. Poor lighting and obscured sightlines only exacerbate the risk, providing cover for those with ill intent.

The Reality Check

So, what's a Calgarian to do? The primary responsibility for maintaining a secure parkade falls to property owners and facility managers, who should be implementing robust security measures. We're talking enhanced access control systems – beyond just basic key fobs – to include vehicle tag recognition or even smartphone-based entry. High-quality surveillance cameras are a must, ideally with live video monitoring and trained security operators who can detect suspicious activity in real-time, issue warnings over speakers, or even alert police with elevated response priority. Proper lighting and clear sightlines are also crucial to deterring criminals.

The Flip Side

Here's where it gets sticky. You're trying to be a good neighbour, but you're also protecting your property. Do you block the tailgater, risking an angry confrontation with a fellow resident, potentially leading to them "marking" your car? Or do you let them in, becoming an unwitting accomplice to a potential crime? Citysearch Rental Network Inc., a trusted local property management resource, advises residents to \"politely ensure they have proper access before allowing them through\" and to report suspicious activity to management. It's a fine line to walk, especially when Alberta's Bill 27, introduced in 2019, significantly increased fines for trespassers – up to $10,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for subsequent offences, with potential jail time. Unauthorized entry into a private residential parkade is a provincial trespass offence under Alberta's Petty Trespass Act and Trespass to Premises Act.

The Bottom Line

The simplest, most cost-effective deterrent is for us, as residents, to simply wait for the parkade gate to close completely before proceeding. While it goes against our natural Calgary hustle, it's a crucial habit. Some buildings are even implementing policies to fine repeat violators of this rule. For building management, investing in specialized anti-tailgating technology – like sensors with video analytics or laser sensors – can detect multiple vehicles entering on a single credential. Physical barriers such as speed gates or barrier arms can also enforce single-vehicle access. Ultimately, it's a community effort to keep our parkades, and our vehicles, safe and sound. Don't be afraid to speak up, report suspicious behaviour, and remember: waiting that extra second for the gate to close could save you a whole lot of headache, and your ride.