April 6, 2026
Community Alert: Catalytic Converter Thefts
There’s been a spike in catalytic converter thefts – 28 reported in District 3 over the past 60 days with more expected. Peak times are 3-4am, 2-3pm, and 10-11am. Vehicles most targeted include Mitsubishi RVR (2012-2014 models), Honda Element (2004-2010), Honda CR-V (2003-2004), and Honda Accord (2006). If you see suspicious activity, report it online or by calling 311. If a theft is in progress, call 911 immediately. Citizens are encouraged to park in a garage overnight if possible and review crime prevention tips here.
June 18, 2025
Kensington Road update – The Mobility team reviewed the changes along the corridor in late 2024. Early findings indicate a 64% reduction in collisions and no injury collisions since the implementation of the safety improvements, despite an increase in vehicle and pedestrian volumes on Kensington Road.
While there are some ongoing challenges, it appears that the collision risk for the corridor has been significantly reduced with the improvements implemented in 2023. Therefore, it would not be prudent to remove the traffic calming features.
In recent years, the Mobility team has implemented several improvements to lower speeds along the corridor and enhance pedestrian safety. These improvements include:
- Reducing the cross-section of Kensington Road, from 23 Street NW to 16 Street NW, to one lane in each direction. These lane reductions were implemented using traffic calming curbs from July to September 2023, with extensive consultation with the Ward.
- Installing a temporary Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at Kensington Road and 18A Street NW in August 2023.
- Installing a temporary RRFB at Kensington Road and 16 Street NW in March 2024.
- Upgrading the Overhead Flasher (OF) at Kensington Road and 18 Street NW.
- There are 12 intersections along Kensington Road between Crowchild Trail and 14 Street NW, and more than half of them (7) have some form of pedestrian traffic control, including RRFBs (temporary and permanent), overhead flashers, or traffic signals.
The OF at the east intersection of Kensington Road and 18 Street NW has been in place since 2001. Over the years, the Mobility team has made several enhancements to the OF, including upgrading the crosswalk to a ladder style, providing advance yield pavement markings and signage, and installing additional side beacons. Most recently, they have adjusted the traffic calming curbs used for the lane reduction to move them closer to the intersection, reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians.
To address morning sun glare concerns, they are proposing a trial temporary RRFB at this location in lieu of the existing OF flasher. The RRFB would be lower in the field of view for motorists, and the rapid flash of the RRFB beacons may be more noticeable. The temporary bases and pedestals could be placed within the roadway (behind traffic calming curbs) to provide better visibility for eastbound traffic around the construction site in the NW corner. The temporary RRFB could be installed for Summer 2025 and monitored until construction is complete in the NW corner. At that point, they can determine whether to revert the RRFB back to an OF based on safety performance.
Additionally, an RRFB is planned at 8 Avenue and 19 Street NW and will be installed as part of the 5A Network in 2026.
May 28, 2025
Click on the link to read the full list of mobility projects planned for 2025. Information provided by Janice Paskey.