Calgary police address recent spike in crime since Christmas
Posted Jan 6, 2020 8:04 pm.
Last Updated Jan 7, 2020 7:25 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Calgary Police say they are concerned following a string of violent crimes and deaths in the city.
The deaths, going back as far as Boxing Day, have all been confirmed as not connected.
However, Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld said they all involved illegal substances.
“The one common denominator in all this is drugs. Drugs and the profit that comes from the distribution of them fuels this greed and violence.”
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He called the start of 2020 disappointing and the number of shootings that have taken place during the last two weeks, unacceptable.
“If you’re listening to the news, and you’re hearing these things, there’s a lot to be concerned about. But, it’s important for us to come out and say this is where we are currently with these things.”
Neufeld said that every violent crime scene could potentially delay responding to calls due to resources being used elsewhere.
“These cases are extremely resource-intensive and they do impact the service that we can provide to citizens on other matters, including property crimes,” confirmed Neufeld.
“If we have a forensic team that’s required at a break and enter and also required at shooting scene or a homicide scene, we’re going to firstly have to send them to the violent crime scene.”
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When addressed public safety, he said that everyone should be cautious.
“How concerned should the public be? I think they should be quite concerned. The potential for what could happen is very grave.”
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Specifically, during the Boxing Day shooting where a man was killed, stray bullets struck a bystanders vehicle.
Neufeld asked for anyone with any related information to the five deaths to come forward and contact the police.
