Kensington Safeway called out online for installing 'anti-people' barriers

The local Safeway grocery store in Calgary's northwest neighbourhood of Kensington is getting some negative attention online after installing rubber barriers in the parking lot meant to cut down on unwanted foot traffic and loitering.

SeveralCalgarians shared their disappointment with the decision on social media, calling the new features "ugly" and "anti-people."

Ellen Parker, communications director for the Kensinton Business Revitalization Zone, said some business owners had raised concerned with a "consistent population" outside the Safeway and of people sitting, smoking and littering on the property.

Shoppers seem to have mixed views on the barriers.

PatriceGasova said he is happy the barriers are up becausepeople were"hanging out there just smoking all the time and making a mess."

Sunnyside resident Carter Clarke said people hanging out in front of the store doesn't bother him that much but he can see both sides of the argument.

"I can definitely see why people have mixed feelings about it," Clarke said. "From the store's perspective, Ican definitely see why they wouldn't want people just loitering around. But for the people that were sitting there it's not a very nice way of handling that, I don't think."

'Some people did feel unsafe'

KeriScobie, aspokeswoman for Sobeys, which owns the Safeway chain,said the barriers are a pilot project to address ongoing complaints from customers who felt hassled or unsafe.

She says the reaction to installing the barriers has given the company food for thought.

"Clearly, people havethoughtson the issue and Ithink it's great that people are sharing them,"Scobisaid, adding the company is open to alternatives if the barriers are "not the right solution."

Scobisaid the store tried on-site security and signs before putting up the rubber blocks. The company will make a decision about whether to keep the caps in placeearly next month,Scobisaid.

Parker said, "We hope that this space can change and evolve to echo the other values and the beautifying that we've worked hard to do so in theKensingtonneighbourhood," adding thatSafewayowns the property and the BRZ "supportthechanges."

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