After a record number of bear spray incidents last year, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and City of Calgary are looking into taking more action to keep people safe.
Police Chief Mark Neufeld says the use of bear spray increased following the pandemic, and hit an all-time high last year.
“Our assessment would be that after COVID, we saw a lot of people actually out in public spaces and actually sheltering outside the conventional shelter system, and I think what happened out there is people sort-of felt like they needed to protect themselves and so they started using bear spray, which is something that is relatively accessible,” he explained.
CPS is now considering introducing a bylaw that would make it illegal to use bear spray as a weapon.
Neufeld says many bear spray incidents are related to vulnerable people downtown using bear spray for protection. But, it is also used by individuals committing crimes like robbery.
School Resource Officers are also reporting an increase in bear spray being carried by young people.
However, the chief said he would support context-driven punishment for the use of bear spray, including dropping criminal charges if appropriate.
“Sometimes criminalizing someone for it is too much, but other times, criminalizing someone for it is right on the nose,” Neufeld said. “So, I think it is very context specific, and our officers are very, very well-placed to assess that when they’re out there.”
While he supports not charging someone when the time is right, Neufeld says there are times when laying charges is the right thing to do.
“There are times when a criminal charge is exactly what’s required for some of the behaviour,” he said.
Currently, someone who discharges bear spray on another person face criminal charges like assault with a weapon. Carrying it in an area where it is deemed to be a threat could see a charge of possession with a weapon dangerous to the public peace.
Questions have arose on whether or not the introduction of a bear spray bylaw would push vulnerable Calgarians to look for other methods to defend themselves.
Neufeld says the goal is for no one to feel as though protection is needed.
“I think we want the city to be a city that feels safe and our downtown and our public spaces, and our transit to feel safe for everybody so that nobody feels like they have to arm themselves,” he said.