Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for 2020-05-25

This week’s topics:

  • Tips to avoid break and enters.
  • Update on “Operation Overwatch”


If you’re interested in helping out, see our Neighbourhood Watch Page.

– Alex

—– Forwarded Message —–
Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for May 25, 2020
Date: Mon, 25 May 2020 18:20:29 -0400
From: Darren Joseph <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

1. Tips to avoid break and enters

The Ottawa Police Break and Enter Unit has received several reports of daytime residential break and enters within the last week, in or nearby the Westboro area. These incidents have occurred while residents are home but are either outside or in another area of the house.

The Ottawa Police has been made aware that with these incidents, a suspicious man was seen either in a neighbour’s yard, trying to enter a neighbour’s home. When the man was questioned by neighbours including children, he left the area immediately.

These incidents may have been deemed by some members of the community as incidents of a stranger approaching children. However, no evidence has been found to that effect.

No suspect is in custody at this time, and the investigation continues.

As the weather warms and we are getting outside more often, police would like to remind homeowners of some ways to help prevent your home from being the target of a break-in:

  • Do not leave windows and doors open or unlocked while you are outside on your property or in a different area of your home.
  • Door and windows should be kept locked at all times.
  • If you have an attached garage, always keep the access door between the house and the garage locked.
  • If you have a garage door remote in your vehicle, ensure it is kept out of sight and keep your vehicle locked.
  • Keep valuables and sentimental items you wouldn’t want lost in a safe and if possible secure the safe to the floor or wall stud.
  • Don’t leave purses and wallets just inside your entry door.
  • Install and use a security bar on your patio door.
  • Keep grass cut and shrubs trimmed to give your home a lived-in look.
  • Consider security lighting and cameras.

Watch out for one another.   If you see a suspicious person in your neighbour’s yard or driveway, call police.

Anyone with information relating to any break and enters is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Break and Enter Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 4533.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

2. Update on “Operation Overwatch”

On May 1st, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) announced that its officers would be focusing on high speed drivers and riders across the City with the launch of Operation Overwatch.

Over the course of the first two weeks of the campaign (April 25th to May 8th), over 582 Provincial Offence Notices (PONs) have been issued for speeding. Multiple vehicles have been seized and their drivers charged with Stunt Driving under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

“Our officers continue to fan out across the City in an effort to hold those who insist on putting our friends, families and loved ones at risk with irresponsible driving habits,” said OPS Traffic Case Manager/Sergeant Craig Roberts. “I think we’d all rather see our medical professionals focus on the pandemic rather than the potential fallout from completely avoidable high-speed collisions.”

“We are committed to holding dangerous drivers to account day and night. There’s no excuse for behaviour that can so easily turn into tragedy,” said Staff Sergeant Marc-Andre Sheehy, head of the OPS Traffic Services Unit.

“We haven’t heard from a single resident across the City who doesn’t support a crack-down on Stunt Driving and Street Racing,” added Sergeant Roberts. “Far too many drivers are travelling at 30, 40 and +50km/h over the posted limit, often in residential neighbourhoods. And this has to stop before someone gets killed.”