Lethbridge city council unanimously voted, in principle, to adopt the new Community Safety Action Plan at its meeting this week.
Officials said the plan reflects a deliberate shift from reactive, issue-specific actions toward a more coordinated, city-wide approach that “aligns policy direction with implementation”. The plan will support City administration’s use of existing, previously approved and unspent funding allocations to programs and projects that support pilots, studies and other initiatives that do not commit the City to added ongoing operating costs.
The City said previous programs, like the Downtown Clean and Safe Strategy, and the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force, helped identify some of the pressing community safety issues and highlighted the limits that come with shorter term responses.
“Echoing concerns we have heard loud and clear through the community in recent years, public safety is always our top priority,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
“The nature of community safety challenges continues to shift. Frontline services are increasingly responding to complex, non‑criminal situations related to housing instability, mental health, addiction, and social disorder.”
“The City’s intention for how it responds to these challenges has evolved. Change takes time and effort, but by all metrics things are headed in the right direction,” Hyggen added.
He said the plan supports goals under council’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.
Officials noted that the intent of the plan is to provide a clear and implementable framework that aligns existing initiatives, boosts partnerships, and introduces targeted actions where service gaps have been found.
“This plan establishes a clear five-year direction for how municipal services, programs and partnerships will be aligned to improve community safety across Lethbridge,” said Andrew Malcolm, General Manager of Community Social Development.
“It reflects a coordinated set of actions that respond to both persistent and emerging community safety concerns, including social disorder, public space safety and increasing service demands on police and emergency services.”
Community Safety Specialist Allison Sherry explained that over the next two years, the focus will be on using existing funding to test, evaluate and refine programs to better understand what works for Lethbridge.
“This approach allows us to build a strong evidence base before bringing forward any potential long-term service or funding considerations to City Council,” Sherry said.
“I’m proud to be part of a committee that brings together community members and local government to work toward practical solutions that make Lethbridge safer and stronger,” added Matthew McHugh, a member of the Community Safety Strategy Committee and downtown business owner.
“By working together, we’re helping create a community where people feel safe and welcome, businesses can thrive, and our entire community benefits. There is no single solution to community safety, but by working together we can make meaningful progress.”
The committee is comprised of members from the Lethbridge Police Service, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, Regulatory Services, Community Social Development, Communications and Engagement, the Centre for Public Safety and Applies Research at Lethbridge Polytechnic, and local business owners.
The group serves as an advisory body to City administration, providing advice and recommendations to support the update and implementation of the plan.
As part of the approval on Tuesday, council directed administration to return through the 2028-2031 Operating Budget process with any Community Safety Action Plan initiatives that might require new or ongoing operating budget impacts.
Community members interested in joining the committee can email csd@lethbridge.ca for more information.
