Supporting safe parking and safer streets in school zones

Every school day, school zones across Calgary come alive. Parents and caregivers are dropping kids off. Drivers are heading to work. Children are walking, biking and crossing streets—often at the same time. When parking rules aren’t followed, those busy moments can quickly turn unsafe. That’s why our Parking Safety and Compliance Officers are focused on keeping kids safe by supporting safe and legal parking around schools.

“Improper parking—especially near schools—is one of the most common safety issues we see,” said Ramanpreet Gill, Patrol and Investigations Supervisor at the City of Calgary. “When vehicles block sightlines or stop where they shouldn’t, it directly affects a child’s ability to cross the street safely.”

School zones are high‑traffic areas during morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up. Even short, rushed stops can create dangerous conditions—blocking crosswalks, forcing kids into traffic or preventing drivers from seeing what’s ahead.

The School Patrol Program is more than enforcement. It’s a community‑first initiative designed to protect children during the busiest times of day while encouraging safer driving behaviours.

“A safe and caring community is built on strong partnerships and a shared commitment to protecting one another,” said Todd Sullivan, the leader of Parking Patrol and Investigations at the City of Calgary. “By working with schools, families and Calgary Police Service, we’re making school zones safer—one patrol at a time.”

This work supports The City’s long‑term vision for safer mobility, community well‑being and an inclusive culture of safety—so families feel confident sending their children to school every day.

During peak drop‑off and pick‑up times, Parking Safety & Compliance Officers are present near schools to:

• Guide drivers and answer questions
• Keep sightlines clear and traffic moving
• Focus on education and voluntary compliance first

“When safety is at risk, enforcement becomes necessary—but our goal is always to start with awareness,” Todd Sullivan added. “Most drivers want to do the right thing. Sometimes they just need a reminder.”

To support coverage across more than 150 elementary schools, Calgary Parking also uses ParkPlus photo enforcement vehicles in school zones. These vehicles capture time‑stamped images of illegally parked vehicles when officers aren’t on site, with tickets mailed to registered owners along with photo evidence.

Safe parking is a shared responsibility. Drivers can make a real difference by:

• Planning ahead and leaving early
• Parking legally—even if it means walking a block
• Avoiding no‑stopping, bus and crosswalk zones
• Being patient and kind to officers on patrol

Parking safely in school zones starts with each stop—and Calgary’s kids are counting on all of us.