Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for 2021-09-02

A couple more Neighbourhood Watch Items have rolled in yesterday; the signs one seems worth noting:

• Election sign damage prompts police to issue warning.
• Budget consultation survey now online.

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

– Alex

—– Forwarded Message —–
Subject: Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin for September 1, 2021
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2021 10:10:09 -0400
From: Darren Joseph <wellingtoncpc@gmail.com>

Contact Cst. Stephanie Lemieux directly (east of O-Train, Line 2) at lemieuxs@ottawapolice.ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5287.
Contact Cst. Darren Joseph directly (west of O-Train, Line 2) at josephd@ottawapolice.ca or 613-236-1222, ext. 5871.

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Election sign damage prompts police to issue warning

The Ottawa Police Service is issuing a reminder that interfering with or damaging election signs is an offence under the criminal code of Canada and the Canada Elections Act. People can be charged for destroying or causing damage to signs. Charges can include mischief to property.

While police have seen multiple complaints in social media, only one complaint has been filed with police.

“We want these incidents reported, particularly if they involve graffiti that is deemed to be hate-motivated,” said S/Sgt. Jamie Aldrich from the OPS Hate and Bias Crime Section. “Anything that promotes hate, violence or intolerance is offensive to everyone in the community.”

If you see anyone tampering with election signs, you should call police immediately at 613-236-1222.

A resident called this morning when they saw two youth damaging signs in the west end. Officers attended and the tampering did not involve any hate motivation. Both boys received a verbal warning about their conduct.

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

If you are the owner of a sign that is damaged, you can report incidents after the fact online at: https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/contact-us/Online-Reporting.aspx or through the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222 extension 7300.

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Budget consultation survey now online

The Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) are asking residents to provide their feedback in a public survey being launched today, to help us determine priorities in line with our annual budget.

We encourage everyone who lives in Ottawa to participate in the survey to let us know how we can best invest our resources. Ottawa is a diverse community, and to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard, the survey will be issued in eight different languages: English, French, Arabic, Cantonese (Traditional Chinese), Mandarin (Simplified Chinese), Farsi, Somali and Spanish.

To participate in the survey, please visit ottawapolice.ca/2022Budget and click the appropriate language link.

Members of the OPSB and the OPS Executive Team have been meeting in one-on-one sessions with City Councillors and community stakeholders, to listen and learn about what is important to the people who work and live in their Wards and neighbourhoods.

Leading the consultation process, the OPS’ Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Unit will work closely with DiversiPro, who has been hired to specifically support engagement efforts to address the concerns of marginalized and racialized communities.

Survey results are expected to be presented at the October OPSB meeting. Opportunities to provide feedback on the draft budget will continue into November.

If you have questions about the survey or the 2022 Budget, please email Budget@ottawapolice.ca