Calgary police are investigating after a body was found early Saturday morning in an alley off 17th Avenue S.W.
Sgt. Kelly Todd with the CPS said a passerby noticed the body and called police at about 5:30 a.m.
Yellow police tape blocked off the alleyway as police investigated the incident. Todd confirmed the police traffic unit has taken the lead on the case because the unidentifed man is believed to be the victim of a hit and run.
Danielle Cloutier’s house backs onto the alley where the body was found. She woke up to flashing lights and a heavy police presence in the back alley.
“I tried to get back to bed, I was not able, because I saw the body on the ground,” Cloutier said. “I was kind of scared, you know, because nothing happens here, it’s a quiet street.”
Eric Nowakowski lives with Cloutier and said people often speed through the area to avoid a no left turn sign on 17th Avenue.
“People try to cut through the alley, and it creates a situation with more pedestrians, more traffic, people driving faster,” Nowakowski said.
Sheri Braaksma lives across the street from where the body was found and says the quiet neighbourhood has seen more traffic in recent years.
“That part of this neighbourhood has changed I would say, since the LRT has come in here,” Braaksma said. “A little more night-time activity.”
Alistair Hardie lives nearby and said patrons of local pubs in the area sometime spill over into the community.
“Sometimes there’s some late night stuff going on coming out of there,” Hardie said.
Hardie has also noticed some suspicious traffic in the neighbourhood in recent years.
