Calgary police clear industrial zone encampment

According to the Calgary Police Service, the cost to clean up the encampment in the Starfield Industrial Area is more than $16,000.

Police began an investigation in late 2023 at a campground in the 6200 block of 50th Avenue SE after receiving calls about people being threatened with a hammer, an ax and a gun. However, when police officers arrived, they did not find any suspects or victims.

In January, police returned to the area for a detailed inspection and found “a significant amount of debris”.

Police say residents appear to be dumping trash into the Forest Lawn River.

“The camp consisted of a plywood structure with a plastic roof and a bridge over the river that led to a hole cut in the chain link fence where the much larger camp was found,” according to a Monday news release.

Sports equipment, naked electric scooters, clothes, bedding and furniture were found inside.

The four people found in the camp were given 30 days to collect their belongings, clean the area and leave.

Police said they worked with the Calgary Community Standards camp team and the Alpha House camp team to offer support and shelter options.

A week before the campers were to leave the area, the officers returned to remind them of the upcoming Sabbath.

Police said at the time that “residents made no attempt to clean up” and that they “showed no intention of vacating the area.”

Between February 21 and 23, police said 183 cubic meters (200 cubic yards) of debris were removed using heavy equipment and six construction dumpsters.

Camp at Starfield Industrial Area. (Calgary Police Service Chapter) “When crews return in the spring to remove debris left after the ground thaws, cleanup costs will exceed $16,000,” police said.

During the evacuation of the camp, police arrested several people for outstanding warrants.

Four people were charged with one count of damaging public land, littering public land and trespassing on public land.

Camp at Starfield Industrial Area. (Calgary Police Service Chapter) “While we operate with compassion and resource constraints, public safety remains our top priority,” said Sgt. Trent Barker Peterson.

“Violence will not be tolerated and a complete disregard for the well-being of our public lands is unacceptable in our society.”

According to police, all those arrested have been offered access to various social services.