The Calgary Party, a newly formed municipal political party, has released a Downtown Public Safety Toolkit aimed at tackling growing concerns over crime, addiction, and public disorder in Calgary's urban core. Led by Brian Thiessen, the party says the toolkit offers a "practical, compassionate, and common-sense" approach to restoring vibrancy and safety to the downtown area.

The proposed plan is structured around three pillars: reforming municipal bylaws, revitalizing key public spaces like Stephen Avenue, and expanding support services for vulnerable populations. The toolkit outlines measures such as stricter enforcement of open drug use and encampments, greater police and sanitation presence, and investment in permanent public washrooms. It also promotes a housing-first model with co-located mental health and addiction response services, aiming to decentralize supports currently concentrated downtown.

The initiative follows findings from the Calgary Police Service's 2024 Community Perceptions Survey, which shows a rise in public concern over illegal drug activity, transit safety, and property crime. While 85% of Calgarians remain satisfied with police services, confidence in the ability of law enforcement to address these challenges is at its lowest level since records began. Thiessen emphasized the need for immediate municipal action, arguing that safety and dignity must go hand-in-hand for both residents and vulnerable individuals downtown.