Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for 2021-05-25

The most recent items from Neighbourhood Watch:

  • Missing 15-year-old.
  • It’s time for drivers to shift gears when it comes to road safety.
  • Water RIDE this Saturday – last Saturday.
  • Learn how to file a report online.


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

– Alex

—– Forwarded Message —–
Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for May 18, 2021
Date: Tue, 18 May 2021 10:34:15 -0400
From: Darren Joseph <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

Contact Cst. Darren Joseph directly (west of O-Train, Line 2) at josephd@ottawapolice.ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5871.

Contact Cst. Stephanie Lemieux directly (east of O-Train, Line 2) at lemieuxs@ottawapolice.ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5287.

*******************************

1.  Missing 15-year-old

The Ottawa Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 15-year-old female, Jessica Yates. Jessica left her home near Greenbank Road and Cambrian Road in Barrhaven between 11:30pm last night and 03:00am this morning. Her family is concerned for her safety and well-being.

Jessica is described as an Indigenous female 5’2” (157cm), small build with chin length black hair. She was last seen wearing a lime green Under Armour hoodie with a blue band across the bottom, blue Keen running shoes and carrying a grey tote bag.

Anyone with information about the current whereabouts of Jessica is asked to call Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 2912.

If you have information that could assist investigators, but do not know where she is currently, please contact the Missing Persons Unit 613-236-1222, ext. 2355, between 8:00am and 4:00pm, daily or ext. 2912 after hours.

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

2.  It’s time for drivers to shift gears when it comes to road safety

May 18-24 is Canada Road Safety Week, and ask yourself, how safe is your driving?

“Too many drivers in our city have adopted bad driving behaviours that put all road users at risk,” says Sgt. Rob Cairns, who works in the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Traffic Section. “No matter what level of driver you think you are, we can all make decisions to be safer drivers.”

The goal of this education and enforcement campaign is to prevent collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways. This year’s theme is ‘shifting gears’, to encourage drivers to think about how certain behaviours behind the wheel are dangerous and how to change them for the better.

Throughout the week OPS officers will be out on roadways, waterways and trails focusing on:

  • Impaired driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Speeding
  • Construction zones
  • Commercial vehicle safety
  • Bicycle 1-metre rule
  • Documentation and equipment

“As a driver, whether it be on the road, trail or waterway, your actions affect the safety of all users,” says Sgt. Cairns. “Everyone wants to get home safe, we want to count on you to do your part.”

Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for May 20, 2021
Date: Thu, 20 May 2021 11:04:34 -0400
From: Darren Joseph <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

Water RIDE this Saturday

May 22-28 is Safe Boating Awareness Week and the Ottawa Police would like to remind residents of the importance of boating safety and provide tips to ensure safety on the waterways.  The Marine, Dive and Trails Unit will do a Water RIDE on May 22nd to raise public awareness and enforce safe boating practices.

If you are swimming, boating, paddle boarding or kayaking in open waters, please Be Safe. Most people are not familiar with currents and undertows that exist in open water; and even those who consider themselves to be strong swimmers can easily be overwhelmed.

Alcohol

Alcohol remains a factor in half of all boating fatalities. We’ve all heard “if you drink, don’t drive” but it’s the same on the water. Boating while impaired is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and a boat is a vehicle in the same way a car is under the Highway Traffic Act in all provinces and territories. If you are convicted of driving any motorized vehicle under the influence, you will lose your licence. Furthermore, the Ontario Liquor Licence Act prohibits the consumption of alcohol on boats while underway and only allows it in specific circumstances while moored. These regulations apply to all out-of-province boaters navigating in Ontario waterways. 

Safety Equipment on board

Be sure to have all equipment required for your type of vessel and that this equipment is in good condition and readily available. Safety equipment is required even on human-powered vessels such as paddle boards. If you are unsure of what exactly is needed, you can refer to Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide. One of the most important mandatory piece of equipment remains the life jacket/Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Boats are required by law to have enough life jackets/PFDs on board for each person on the boat. Ensure they are properly-sized for the passengers on board – children should only wear properly-fitted, child-size lifejackets. And to decrease the risk of drowning, everyone on the boat needs to be wearing their life jacket/PFD at all times. 

Be prepared

The vessel licence and a Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card (PCOC) are mandatory documents on all waterways in Canada. We go an extra step by recommending that you take a boating skills course.  Always check the weather conditions before heading out, make sure that your boat is mechanically sound and that you have enough gas for your trip. A first aid kit, as well as the proper safety equipment and emergency contact information, should also be on board. 

Watch your Wake!

Some portions of the waterways in our City are extremely narrow; therefore, being aware of the wake your vessel is creating is paramount. Excessive wake created by your boat is not only harmful to the environment (erosion) and ecosystem (wildlife) but can also cause property damage. Remember, you are responsible for your wake at all times and the damage it could cause.

Please visit the Ottawa Police website for further boating safety tips.

Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for May 25, 2021
Date: Tue, 25 May 2021 09:06:17 -0400
From: Darren Joseph <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

Learn how to file a report online

The Ottawa Police Service will be hosting an online event May 25th from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.

Do you have questions about how to file a report online? Our experts will walk you through the steps you need to take to file an online police report. To join in the conversation on Microsoft Teams, please visit our events calendar and click the link on the day of the event. You do not need to have Teams installed, you simply click the link and join the discussion.

While the presentation will be delivered in English only, we will have materials in French and experts available to answer any questions in French as well if needed.

Participation Guide

When you enter the online session, please keep your mic muted and your camera off to ensure we are able to host a large number of participants.

Once you click the link to join the Q&A sessions, you can interact either by:

  • Asking your question in the chat section (click the chat icon at the top of the screen); or
  • Raising your hand, (using the emoticon at the top of the screen), if you wish to ask your question live. We encourage participants to use both their mics and cameras when asking questions.

You will be called on to ask your question, or our moderator will ask the question you have posted in the chat section to our experts. Please wait until you are called on to unmute your mic and/or turn on your camera.

We ask that all participants remain respectful or they will be removed.