Edmonton mall arrest raising concerns with inner city advocates

City Centre Mall facing criticism from inner city advocates after this video of an arrest was posted to social media.

A 23-year-old-woman was bleeding on the mall floor after being taken down by security guards, and witnesses say it was disturbing to watch.

“They lifted her up and her face was just pouring blood, the floor was covered, they were dragging her around so there were trails of it everywhere, her pants were falling off so there was no human decency at all,” explained Tiana Osinkchuk, witnessed the arrest.

Osinchuk says she wishes this situation could have been handled differently or by a group trained to handle mental health crises.

“Security receives so much training to “properly” handle situations like this, but it doesn’t seem like it’s working. This was the worst I’ve ever seen but stuff like this happens constantly here, all the time.”

Edmonton Police were called to the incident, they say the woman in the video has a “trespassing ban” at the mall and was told to leave twice but kept coming back.

EPS sent a statement to CityNews saying, “It is alleged the female re-entered the mall a third time and security members then attempted to arrest the woman, who was uncooperative.

“The woman, who sustained unknown injuries during the arrest, was subsequently taken to a holding cell in the mall by security members. She was treated and transported to hospital by paramedics with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening injury.”

Judith Galefrom the Edmonton Bear Clan, a group that advocates for unhoused people, also a witness following the incident, she organized a protest at that mall calling for them to change their security.

“Enough is enough. We can’t have this any longer. Every human being on earth should be afforded the same dignity and respect as everyone,” Galefrom told CityNews.

City Centre tells CityNews they are investigating the incident to make sure policies and procedures were followed. Adding they have a positive working relationship with inner city agencies who work to protect Edmonton’s vulnerable.