Four arrested, encampment cleared after reports of threats, violence

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The city has shut down an illegal encampment in a southeast industrial area after people reported being threatened in the area by individuals wielding axes, hammers and guns, officials said.

The intervention led to the arrest of four people on outstanding warrants for serious crimes, the City of Calgary said in a statement issued Monday, adding those detained were offered access to social services.

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Large quantities of trash were hauled away with cleanup costs reaching $16,000 so far, the city said. The figure is expected to rise once the ground thaws, allowing the rest of the garbage to be removed.

Authorities began looking into the encampment in late 2023 after receiving reports of threats involving hammers, axes and guns in the Starfield Industrial Area.

While an initial police investigation found no victims or suspects, a subsequent visit by authorities in January led to the discovery of a camp and a large quantity of garbage, according to the city.

“It also appeared the occupants were dumping waste into the Forest Lawn Creek,” the City of Calgary’s statement read.

“The camp included a structure made of plywood with a plastic roof and a bridge over the creek that led to a hole that had been cut in a chain-link fence where a much larger camp was found. Sports equipment, stripped electric scooters, clothing, bedding and furniture were all found within.”

Four people were living at the camp, with Calgary police community resource officers, bylaw officers and Alpha House representatives offering social assistance.

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One of the four was referred to Action Table Calgary, a recently announced collaboration between local agencies to connect vulnerable people with supports for complex needs.

The individuals were given 30 days’ notice to remove their belongings and leave.

“A week before the scheduled clean-up date, CPS officers returned to remind the individuals about the upcoming clean-up and their options for support,” the city said. “No efforts had been made by the occupants to clean up and they indicated they had no intent to vacate the area.”

The four people arrested at the encampment were each charged with one count of causing damage to public land, causing accumulation of debris on public land, and occupying public land without authorization.

Outstanding warrants were also executed, including five counts of failure to appear, one count of arson, one count of failure to register with a sex offender registry, and one count of driving while unauthorized.

“While we lead with compassion and connection to resources, public safety remains our priority,” said Calgary police Sgt. Trent Barker Peterson in the city’s statement. “Violence will not be tolerated and complete disregard for the well-being of our public lands is not acceptable behaviour in our community.”

From Feb. 21 to 23, enough garbage was collected using heavy equipment to fill six construction dumpsters, the city said. Crews will return after the spring thaw to remove what’s left of the trash.

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