App aims to put part of East Village’s care in the hands of residents and visitors

A pilot initiative in the East Village is trying to make the area safer and cleaner by utilizing a new app where people can submit service requests.

A pilot initiative in Calgary’s East Village is trying to make the area safer and cleaner by turning to those who frequent it.

The program utilizes a new app where people can submit service requests if they encounter any maintenance problems.

Karim Ihad opened EV Cut Barbershop two months ago.

He says he was attracted to East Village for the walk-around traffic and the constant effort to try and improve the area.

“I think that’s one of the really important things for my business and for other businesses … to keep this area super clean,” said Ihad.

That’s exactly what East Village’s new app—Safe, Clean and Awesome—is looking to help with.

People can use the app to upload a photo of an issue they encounter—like garbage outside of a business—and submit a service request to have a team deal with it.

“I send a short text message, describe exactly what’s going on there and after a couple of hours, the guys, they show up with their trailer and they pick up the stuff from there,” said Ihad.

Popular requests on the app include overflowing garbage cans, graffiti and needle disposal.

“It’s important that people, when they come into the community, have a good experience, that it feels clean and maintained and there are eyes on the street,” said Clare LePan with the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation.

“This also gives the opportunity for residents to put their own eyes on the street and report that to us.”

The app is the first of its kind in the city.

In the past month, it has had a little over 200 downloads.

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation says it is monitored weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is already cutting down the response times of their service team.

The easy and direct line of communication is a welcome addition for the people who live, work and enjoy East Village.

“We’re trying to make a community here, and anything helps,” said one person.

“There’s definitely a few times that I’ve been walking that I see, like, garbage on the ground,” said another.

“That’s a great initiative, especially with such a beautiful area down by the river, but also just where a lot of our unhoused population is in the area. Just a great way to keep those communities together,” said another still.

The app is available to download for free on the App Store and on Google Play.