A day in Edmonton vs. A day in New York

I lately had lunch with a pal, who shared one thing from a novel perspective.

It was within the wake of a horrible tragedy in Calgary, involving a stabbing exterior a southwest Calgary faculty. That, together with many different house invasions, stabbings, incidents on town’s LRT, open drug use and quick rising crime.

Even with the addition of recent law enforcement officials, issues appear to be getting worse. Whereas that helps, it could not precisely be the reply.

This pal now not lives in Canada, selecting as a substitute tropical Costa Rica, the place she mentioned it’s a lot safer (aside from the snakes, cane toads, scorpions and spidey sorts — all of which reside down there).

Her story was fascinating. Sure, she mentioned, stuff occurs in Costa Rica, nevertheless it’s often drug associated, and never random. She feels a lot safer down there.

Not way back, she flew to Calgary, met a pal they usually drove as much as Edmonton to see a live performance.

Earlier than the present, they determined to do some purchasing, stopping at a couple of shops, together with one well-known division retailer. To her shock, as the automated doorways opened, two girls brandishing knives had been shoving out a cart full of things, a whole lot of {dollars} price.

They had been in a rush, a giant hurry.

My pal had chanced on a theft in progress.

The workers of the shop allow them to take the gadgets with out protest or pursuit. They only locked the doorways behind them. They later advised my pal, there’s nothing they’ll do and police do not actually care, both. Even when they report it.

So, they simply allow them to go. The price of doing enterprise. A male getaway driver was ready within the automobile, which possible had stolen plates.

My pal watched, nonetheless trembling from the ordeal, as they loaded tons of stuff into the trunk of the automobile. Then left at excessive pace.

Welcome to Edmonton, eh? The town of …

A foul scene, however we in Calgary, my pals, should not significantly better, to be trustworthy and we could also be headed in that route.

This appears to be a rising development, a troubling development. I personally would by no means trip on Calgary’s LRT. I’ve no want to be stabbed.

The mayor’s whole refusal to take heed to Calgarians’ considerations, on this and different points, particularly monetary ones, is disconcerting.

Her head is within the local weather change clouds, out of contact, out to lunch.

And so, let’s go to New York Metropolis, The Huge Apple.

My pal from Costa Rica lately flew there to see some performs and revel in some eating places and purchasing.

All unbelievable experiences, in case you’ve ever been. To her shock, once more, cops in all places. On horseback, strolling the beat (in contrast to Calgary, the place they like to remain in vehicles and fly in helicopters).

Not solely that, however NYPD officers even act as goodwill ambassadors for visiting vacationers. A police officer purposely walked as much as my pal and requested if she wanted instructions, as she appeared a bit misplaced.

She was. And the officer helped her and provided some nice information of locations she ought to see.

Surprising. Simply stunning. Think about that! An officer being useful and pleasant. Strolling the beat! Participating with residents! Heaven assist us.

Then, to her amazement, she noticed armies of cleaners, tackling websites everywhere in the metropolis, together with subway stations. Locations that usually odor like pee.

They cleaned and sanitized these locations continuously, to the purpose the place in all places she went, she mentioned, it was spotless.

No rubbish both.

And, in contrast to Calgary, no open drug dealing, no drugged up younger folks (as you typically see in Calgary,) laying on the bottom, knocked out by Rhino Tranq or Fentanyl.

Consequently, she totally loved her go to to New York’s Manhattan and vows to return once more, to see and do extra.

A terrific strolling metropolis, there may be additionally the fabulous Excessive Line, which was an above floor subway line, was a well-liked vacationer attraction, which was fought by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, by the best way.

However the locals received out. They stored it, improved it and now it is a shining star in New York’s many vacationer websites.

I notice that New York shouldn’t be Edmonton, neither is it Calgary. It’s one thing wonderful, one thing particular. Greater in each respect.

And yeah, they’ve crime and scary neighborhoods.

However perhaps it is time we get up to the problem and truly attempt to make issues higher by pondering exterior the proverbial field, as a substitute of simply throwing cash at issues and pretending we’re making issues higher.

It will be good, if we had a mayor who wasn’t a Nenshi clone. However we will not use that as an excuse as a result of change typically occurs/begins from the bottom up.

What we want is a Ralph Klein and that ain’t gonna occur anytime quickly. Somebody who’s pro-active and no more involved about her newest hairdo.

That is how New York’s Excessive Line obtained began.

However getting again to crime and policing. I actually suppose the Calgary Police Service, which is stuffed with nice gifted folks, ought to turn into extra participating with the locals.

Not as a result of we pay their salaries, and that sort of factor; there isn’t a judgment right here. However perhaps it is a begin.

Let simply say, I would like them to, “like us.”

You understand, “like us.” Get out of your vehicles, stroll the beat. Get to know folks.

This isn’t South Chicago.

I do know you’re keen on your helicopters, your high-tech surveillance toys and hidden budgets (shhhh!!!!), and your huge assist workers, which outnumber precise cops.

That is all cool. However perhaps we are able to do higher.

Possibly we are able to be taught one thing from cities corresponding to New York, who appear to know what they’re doing.

Earlier than we turn into an Edmonton, or worse.