Calgary is confronting an unsettling trend as bear spray becomes a weapon of choice in public spaces, with recent incidents targeting both educational and recreational facilities. The powerful deterrent designed for wildlife encounters is increasingly being misused against people, despite being illegal for such purposes.
Recent Incidents Shock Calgary Community
Calgary police responded to a bear spray discharge at the Genesis Centre recreational facility in northeast Calgary on Monday, leaving three people with minor injuries. Authorities detained two youths in connection with the incident that disrupted the community space.
Just three days prior, the same chemical agent was deployed at the adjacent Nelson Mandela High School, though fortunately no injuries were reported in that occurrence. These back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about the accessibility and misuse of bear spray in urban settings.
Expert Witness: The Painful Reality of Bear Spray
John Clarke, a bear safety consultant with firsthand experience of the spray's effects, understands its potency all too well. Last year, while on a trail near Canmore, a friend's accidentally triggered canister sprayed him directly in the face.
"It sprayed me right in the face and that hurts, I didn't like that," Clarke recalled. "It kept burning...I had water to decontaminate but it hurt for 15 to 20 minutes and later I wiped my face with my hand and 'there it was again.'"
With this painful experience informing his perspective, Clarke strongly condemns the criminal use of bear spray while acknowledging why offenders choose it. "It's used (criminally) because it really works but you should be charged, you shouldn't be walking around main street with it on your hip," he stated.
What Makes Bear Spray So Potent?
Bear spray's effectiveness stems from its active ingredient: capsaicin and related compounds sourced from oleoresin capsicum. This powerful inflammatory agent comes from particularly potent chili peppers and is combined with an inert propellant, typically a hydrofluorocarbon like R134a, which atomizes the irritating substance into a cloud.
The spray can be manufactured to be effective at various ranges and concentrations. When used properly against bears, it causes the animal's mucous membranes to swell, affecting their eyes and respiratory system and resulting in temporary incapacitation.
Law enforcement officials note that beyond its non-lethal potency, bear spray appeals to criminals due to its ease of concealment. Clarke, through his Canadian Bear Safety Authority classes, trains participants for six hours on the safe and proper use of the tool, which he says is effective on bears at an 18-foot range.
While outdoors enthusiasts are encouraged to carry bear spray for protection against aggressive wildlife, experts emphasize the importance of proper training in its use. The recent incidents in Calgary highlight the growing concern about how this powerful deterrent is being misappropriated for criminal purposes in urban environments.
