Frustrated residents gather to share concerns about social disorder at northeast outdoor mall

September 12, 2024 Canuck

It’s a seemingly ordinary outdoor mall in a suburban neighbourhood in northeast Calgary.

Savanna Bazaar, a shopping plaza in Saddle Ridge modelled on Asian and Middle Eastern markets, has a number of social spaces and businesses that offer international products.

But at night, the parking lot becomes a social hub marred by problematic behaviour — vehicle stunting, speeding, fireworks and, in some cases, harassment, according to Coun. Raj Dhaliwal.

The Ward 5 councillor said he’s had complaints about the area since he was elected in 2021, but the bad behaviour began to escalate during Diwali in 2023, which was in November that year.

“What I heard was people were openly celebrating, [there was] intoxication, drifting of vehicles, speeding, social disorder, that kind of stuff,” Dhaliwal said.

“It attracted that kind of crowd after that and it started getting bigger in a way, crowds were getting bigger and then with that, also social disorder.”

That behaviour deters people from going to the plaza to shop, and also causes problems for those who live in the community. Noise issues are frequently brought up, as are safety concerns regarding people driving recklessly.

A man wearing a suit is pictured at a podium with a city skyline in the background. — Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal, pictured here in a 2022 file photo, has been working on a plan with a number of groups to address what he calls social disorder in a northeast Calgary shopping plaza. (CBC)

Roughly 100 residents and business owners gathered at Savanna Bazaar on Thursday night for an emotion-fuelled community safety forum — a co-ordinated effort involving Dhaliwal, the Calgary Police Service and the management of the plaza.

Many shared their frustrations with the impacts of the social disorder on their sense of safety, their sleep and their businesses, and asked Dhaliwal and CPS to do more to stop the problematic behaviour.

Nearby resident Amrinder Bath, who’s lived in the Savanna neighbourhood with his family since 2017, said all he wants is for his two young daughters to feel safe.

“We totally avoid this plaza. Like we don’t even want to come here unless we really have to,” said Bath.

“You can hear them at nighttime, it will wake you up … We’ve seen them drinking inside the car and creating total nuisance in the neighbourhood. People are just sick and tired of this happening.”

A man smiles at the camera in a grocery store — Amrinder Bath, a resident of the Savanna, said problematic behaviour at Savanna Bazaar and in the surrounding area began a few years ago. Before then, he said it was a peaceful place to live. (Karina Zapata/CBC)

So far, speed bumps and structural deterrents to prevent speeding have been implemented.

District 5 Sgt. Ahmed Shahein said CPS has been responding to many calls about the plaza and will continue to enforce the area, but it comes with challenges.

“Often when we show up, people stop the behaviour that we were called for in the first place. So it’s been a very slow process,” said Shahein.

He said police have plans to tackle the problem and make more changes, but that will be dependent on the city’s budget.

Shahein’s main message for residents with concerns is to be patient — and keep calling police.

“I really hope that it was conveyed to them that we are taking this very seriously. We’re working with multiple groups, multiple agencies to try to resolve this issue.”

A police officer speaks to a group of men in a grocery store at a meeting. — In an emotion-fuelled meeting attended by roughly 100 people at a grocery store in Savanna Bazaar, CPS Sgt. Ahmed Shahein addressed community members’ concerns about growing problematic behaviour in the plaza. (Karina Zapata/CBC)

One business owner said the physical changes that have been made are already making a difference.

“They were racing around, you know, burning out their cars. It was too noisy sometimes,” said Balwinder Singh, owner of the Chai Bar at Savanna Bazaar.

“But now it’s kind of become better.”

Despite that, Singh says his business wasn’t impacted significantly before, adding that sales and traffic numbers are similar now to how they were prior to when the infrastructure was implemented.

Meanwhile, Bath said the public engagement is a good sign, and he’s optimistic positive changes will be made in the plaza.

He said he’d like to see increased law enforcement in the area, especially with unmarked vehicles, speed traps along the streets leading into and out of the plaza, and violations issued for dangerous driving.

For Dhaliwal, it was important to hear residents’ concerns to better understand how to move forward.

He said he hopes potential bylaw amendments aimed at noisy vehicles — which were unanimously endorsed by committee and now have to be approved by council — will make a difference.

But he warns more changes will take time.

“Maybe a month, two months, six months, a year — but at least the conversation has started.”

View original article here Source

Canada News

Frustrated residents gather to share concerns about social disorder at northeast outdoor mall

HONGKEIE Friendship Bracelet Speak Now Fearless Bracelet Album Inspired Bracelet for Concert Outfit Gifts,

Fruit of the Loom mens Dual Defense Crew Socks 12 PairCasual Sock

Glad White Garbage Bags - Tall 45 Litres - ForceFlex, Drawstring, with Febreze Fresh Clean Scent, 50 Trash Bags,…

SAXX Underwear Co. - Men's Vibe Super Soft Boxer Brief with Built-in Pouch Support - Underwear for Men, Fashion

Luluadorn Rose Gold Heart Initial Letter Bracelets Engraved Alphabet 26 Letters Charms Cuff Bracelet…

Pure Protein Bars - Nutritious, Gluten Free protein bar, made with Whey protein blend - low sugar, protein snack.…

Dreamcountry Women's Seamless Bra, Supportive Ultra Comfortable Wireless Push Up Bra, S-4XL T-Shirt Bras for…

Tcamp 105FT 300LEDs Christmas Tree Lights Outdoor Indoor String Lights End to End Plug, 8 Modes Christmas…

10 Pieces Friendship Bracelets Lover Era Costume Era Journey Preppy Bracelet Inspiration Bracelets Perfect for…

Kasa Smart Outdoor Smart Plug by TP-Link (KP400) - Smart WiFi Outlet with 2 Sockets, IP64 Waterproof, Works with Alexa…