Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for 2020-08-10

This week’s topics:

• Protect your bike with 529 Garage.
• Safety on the water.

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

– Alex

—– Forwarded Message —–
Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for August 10, 2020
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2020 13:30:03 -0400
From: Darren Joseph <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

1.  Protect your bike with 529 Garage

The Ottawa Police Service is making it even easier to protect your bike through 529 Garage this Saturday, August 8, 2020.

From 10 am to 2 pm, officers will be at the corner of Laurier Avenue and Bank Street for a free ‘touchless’ registration event.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, participants are being asked to pre-register on the 529 Garage app.

“We’ll be on hand to answer questions and give out stickers to people who pre-registered, but from a safe distance,” said Cst. Chuck Benoit, 529 Garage liaison officer.

Residents will have to show proof of registration to receive a uniquely serial-numbered 529 Garage shield sticker to put on their bike. Organizers are advising if you can’t come to the event, you can still get a sticker at any of the three OPS Front Desk Service locations.

“You can register and protect your bike in five minutes or less,” said Cst. Benoit. “Even if you don’t come to the event to get the sticker, which is an added visual deterrent to thieves, your bike will be in the database and we can contact you if your bike is recovered.”

So far, 4720 bikes have been registered.

In the past two weeks, five bikes have been recovered and returned to owners thanks to 529 Garage registration.

This event is made possible with OPS Central Community officers, Patrol officers and Neighbourhood Resource Officers, along with the valued partnerships with Bike Ottawa, Bank St. BIA, Crime Stoppers and Safer Roads Ottawa.

2.  Safety on the water

The Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Fire Department, Ottawa Paramedic Service and their Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition partners are urging all residents to practice water safety when they are on, in or near water this summer.

Tragically, there have been five drownings on local waterways this summer. The combination of warm weather and people being near unfamiliar waters are considered possible factors in these drowning cases.

Every weekend through the summer the OPS Marine, Dive and Trails Unit will be on local waterways enforcing boating laws.

The Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition reminds us all that drownings are avoidable. Follow these tips for staying safe around water.

Swimmers:

Be aware of swimming in unknown waters; swift water and depths in our rivers can change quickly

Always wear a life jacket near open bodies of water, no matter what level of swimmer you are. Currents are strong and there could be undertows.

Parents, stay within arms’ reach of your young children. Drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. Never leave your child unattended for even a short period of time; a drowning can happen in less time than it takes to read this tip.

Swimming, boating and alcohol don’t mix. Alcohol reduces the rate your brain can process information, lowers your body temperature making you more prone to hypothermia, affects your sense of distance and can lead to risk-taking behaviour.

Boaters:

Drinking and driving laws apply on the water.
Wear a life jacket at all times.
Ensure you have all safety equipment aboard your vessel (this includes seadoos, paddleboards, canoes and kayaks). Check Transport Canada Website for further details (Follow all posted speed limits and any other directional signage on the water.

The Ottawa Drowning Prevention Coalition is made up of several public groups and agencies including the Life-Saving Society, Ottawa Police, Ottawa Public Health, Ottawa Fire and Ottawa Paramedics to prevent the incidence of fatal and non-fatal drownings and other water-related injuries in the National Capital Region.

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Contact Cst. Darren Joseph directly (west of O-Train, Line 2) at josephd@ottawapolice.ca
Contact Cst. Stephanie Lemieux directly (east of O-Train, Line 2) at lemieuxs@ottawapolice.ca