FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 17, 2018 10:20am
(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is launching a series of community safety initiatives this summer to focus on reducing incidents of crime and public disorder in the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau, beginning this long weekend.
“We will be conducting safety initiatives, throughout the warmer months with a zero tolerance approach to disorderly behaviour, such as Liquor Licence Act offences, criminal activity and aggressive panhandling that negatively impacts residents, visitors and businesses,” said OPS Frontline Superintendent Mark Ford.
Ottawa Police officers will be joined by partners such as Ottawa Bylaw, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and OC Transpo as part of these enforcement initiatives.
As in summers past, there will be an increased presence of officers on bikes and foot in the ByWard Market and other high-density neighbourhoods throughout the City. In addition to these resources, the Bikes and Beat Unit, the Traffic Unit, RIDE programs, the Drug Unit, the Guns and Gangs Unit and the Direct Action Response Team (DART) will be active in these areas as well.
“We have heard the concerns of both businesses and residents in the downtown core,” added Supt. Ford. “We are actively working to alleviate some of these issues to ensure everyone can enjoy this great area of the city.”
This community safety initiative is just one of the ways OPS is working with community partners to address this and other issues.
In order to be effective, the Ottawa Police is asking for your support. If you see a crime, report it. You can do so online www.ottawapolice.ca/onlinereporting, by calling the non-emergency number 613-236-1222, extension 7300, or by dialling 911 in the case of an emergency.
- 30 -
CONTACT:
Media Relations Section
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366