The Calgary Police Service uncovered an intricate underground tunnel believed to be used as a homeless encampment dug into a hillside near the Calgary Stampede grounds.
The human-made tunnel was being used as an encampment, but nobody was found in the structure or surrounding area upon discovery or the weeks that followed while the premises continued to be monitored.
The police confirmed that nobody is in custody, and no charges have been filed as a result of the incident.
YEGWAVE, a popular X account that posts Alberta news, posted to X various pictures of the encampment. The account said the encampment’s tunnel contained rooms, including a bedroom, a shelving unit, a homemade taser-like weapon, and “had almost hooked up electricity from a nearby streetlight.”
Calgary police previously discovered various weapons at numerous homeless encampments as the city contended with a spike in criminal activity.
The Edmonton Police Service similarly seized 60 weapons while dismantling homeless encampments in Jan. 2024.
Calgary’s police said the structure stood about six feet tall and was ten feet by seven feet in diameter.
Any imminent health or safety risk from encampments results in their immediate removal, according to the Calgary Police Service.
“Public safety for all Calgarians is our priority. This was an incredibly elaborate underground structure that was highly dangerous, not only for those inhabiting it, but for the surrounding community,” said Calgary Police Service Sergeant Kristian Thorpe. “While this particular type of underground structure is not a recurring issue in Calgary, the city remains committed to addressing all unsafe sites where a camp has been placed in coordination with our partners, ensuring the safety of the individuals residing there and in the interest of public safety.”
Community Standards Inspector Sue Wall confirmed that camping on public land violates city bylaws. She noted, however, that the city tries to balance compassion with the safety of homeless people and the surrounding communities.
Edmonton police uncovered a similar situation back in Mar. when they discovered a cave that was approximately five feet deep and 12 feet across.
Somebody was living in the cave but was luckily relocated to the government’s navigation and support centre for homeless people just days earlier.
The cave in Edmonton was far less elaborate than the encampment discovered in Calgary.
The encampment in Calgary was excavated, a process the police said took three days.
The City of Calgary has a special team to deal with encampments, who help clean them up and remove them from public areas. The team also helps people in encampments connect with social services and that any encampments are void of dangerous materials.
Residents are encouraged to report encampments by calling 3-1-1. Within ten days of the complaint, the encampment team will visit the site. If the site is inactive, it will be cleared within five days. If it is active, the city collaborates with occupants to refer them to the proper social agencies.
If the site remains occupied, occupants are issued a notice to vacate after 20 days.