Edmonton mom says she was beaten, robbed in random attack outside LRT station
Another Edmontonian has come forward to express frustration and sadness about the lack of safety in and around the city's transit centres. She's also calling for more officers on the ground.
Last Thursday, Rob Nicholl went public about a beating he suffered at the Southgate LRT station. He said there was no security or police around to help him.
On Monday, Janelle Dyke opened up about an attack she suffered last Tuesday afternoon outside MacEwan Station in downtown Edmonton.
"Nothing's broken, but obviously, it’s very bruised. They did a CAT scan when I went to the hospital and I have a mild concussion," she said, showing a bruise down nearly half of her face.
Dyke was just getting off of work when she was approached by two women coming from the direction of the train station. She recalls being asked for money and offering some.
Then, she says, one of the women hit her twice in the head. The other woman doused her with either pepper or bear spray.
"It was like point blank with whatever spray it was, right in my eyeballs, which got all over my clothing too. So as I'm wiping my eyes throughout the course of this, it was just spreading and getting even worse," Dyke said.
Her phone is missing, along with the cash she had.
And while Edmonton Police Service confirmed officers are investigating, Dyke wants the city to do more by assigning armed police to patrol in and around LRT stations.
"I want actual police, like honestly," she said.
"There most definitely needs to be police force within there, and even going on the trains more."
On Friday, the union representing transit operators also raised safety concerns and asked for more transit peace officers.
A spokesperson for Edmonton Police Service said the force "shares concerns about crime and disorder in the transit system" and that regular patrols are already being done.
"EPS is committed to using the resources available to address both proactive and emergent situations on transit and safety remains the EPS’ number one priority," Carolin Maran wrote in a statement to CTV News Edmonton.
A city branch manager called the incident "very troubling" and offered "thoughts" to Dyke and her family, but didn't promise any changes to current staffing or policies.
"The City of Edmonton takes a multilayered approach to safety and security. One approach is having the Edmonton Police Service and Transit Peace Officers patrol transit throughout our hours of operation, including evening and late night hours, and respond to reported incidents," Carrie Hotton-MacDonald of ETS wrote in a Tuesday statement.
In April, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi announced that 21 new transit peace officers would be hired and that the city is also adding more community outreach transit teams which specialize in mental health, addictions and housing.
In October, the province announced $187 million over two years to be spent on addiction services and housing supports.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's David Ewasuk
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.