Calgary police introduce mobile station

Calgary police now have a station on wheels.

The Mobile Community Outreach Police Station can be deployed anywhere in the city, according to CPS, and will allow citizens to file reports. It will be based in the inner city.

"We heard loud and clear from the downtown communities that a highly-visible policing presence is very important to them, and our statistics reflect this need," said Staff Sgt. Shawn Wallace in a news release.

"We also recognized the restrictions bricks-and-mortar buildings have in relation to being responsive to changing needs and crime trends."

Police say the mobile station can be deployed to help with large events and can shift locations based on the "needs of the city at any given time."

Ability to file reports

It's the product of a pilot project that used the Calgary Police Service's Checkstopbus and its mobile command vehicle to provide a visible presence downtown.

"The pilot project demonstrated success in reducing calls for service by 40 per cent in the immediate area," according to the release.

"However, neither the MCV nor Checkstop vehicles were equipped to take reports from members of the public, which was a publicly requested service."

The roving station will be open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its location will be shared through Facebook and Twitter.

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