Map for Browsing Crime Reports

Via the FCA – the Ottawa Police have a new interactive crime map at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7db5b7d590754c9988d89643542ba646/.

[Ottawa Police Crime Map around Champlain Park roughly from 2022 to 2024]

Hmmm, many arson reports outside the city core. Lots of other things you can see if you run the filters there. By the way, we had a post about the previous map in 2016.

Drug Paraphernalia on Scott Street

Just got a message from the Mechanicsville Community Association about a mess found on Scott last Saturday. It’s been reported for cleanup. Of note, needle cleanup kits are available. Their story is:

I was biking along the northside Scott St MUP before Island Park and came across what appeared to be a needlenest. I didnt find needles but LOTS of drug paraphernalia. There may have been needles but I didn’t have proper shoes to go into the bushes to see. I will send to Bylaw for pickup. If you have a community safety committee, you may want to send to them. Somerset West Community Health on Rosemount provide CAs with needle disposal kits if you need any.

Scam Alert – Ottawa street parking meters

The City of Ottawa is warning residents of a recently discovered scam at parking meters involving fraudulent QR codes. The City does not provide QR code on parking meters for payment. Please see details from the city on the following link:
https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/city-news/newsroom/city-alerts-residents-new-qr-code-scam-parking-machines-ottawa

There’s also a CTV news report at:
https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/city-of-ottawa-warns-of-qr-code-scam-at-parking-meters-1.6995472

Here’s what the QR code looks like, it takes you to poybyphone.online rather than paybyphone.com.

Stolen Bike

From: Bill Baggs <billbggs@gmail.com>
Date: May 11, 2024 at 11:45:39 AM EDT
Subject: Stolen Bike

Good morning, I just wanted to pass along an incident that happened last night on the corner of Cowley and Sunnymede. Someone had broken into the resident’s shed and stolen his bicycle. A police report is being or has been filed.

If anyone has a door cam could you kindly review the footage to see if there is anything that might be useful for the police.

For those of you who have bikes, I would suggest registering them with Garage 529 (Bike registration to reduce theft and help recovery | 529 Garage project529.com). Also, I would suggest that even if you store your bikes in a locked shed, or in the backyard, that you lock your bike to a solid structure. It’s just any added level of defence.

Thanks very much.

Bill Baggs
Block Captain – Central Cowley

You may wish to see our usual spring theft warning post and an earlier Garage 529 Bulletin.

Scam Alert! Beware of text scams for traffic violation payments

The City of Ottawa is warning residents of recent scam text messages seeking payment for alleged speeding infractions under the City’s Automated Speed Enforcement program (details of program
link – https://ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/road-safety/enforcement/automated-speed-enforcement-0)

Please note that Ottawa Police does not issue tickets by texting! Tickets are mailed to the registered plate owner of the vehicle with no demerit points, within 30 days. There are options for payment or response to the Provincial Offence Violation.

Ottawa Police provides safe trade locations and warnings on door-to-door contractors

1. Project Safe Trade

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is providing three parking spots at three police stations to support safety when completing trades from online marketplaces and websites or any other type of personal sales.

Continue reading →

Forest “Meditating Man”

How to put it politely? This started on May 17 at 5pm when a man claiming to be meditating (with his pants down) in the NCC forest startled a passerby (walking their dog, which spotted the man). He (assuming it is the same guy) seems to be a bit love-lorn, distressed, and is also leaving notes around the forest.

Neighbourhood Watch and the police have been alerted. The police do not recommend engaging him. If you feel threatened or he is doing something illegal ie. masturbating in public or some other form of public indecency definitely call 911. Otherwise if you just spot him, email the Constable (burnst2@ottawapolice.ca) and call 613-236-1222 Ext 7502. That’s the Ottawa police non emergency line. Don’t forget to quote the Occurrence number 23-155985 so it all gets filed together (if you have first hand sightings please inform the police so they can add it to the evidence collection).

For more details and photos of some of the notes, see the neighbourhood Facebook group.

Commuters: Consider alternate routes to avoid traffic delays

This morning, the Ottawa Police Service monitored traffic flow at a number of Government of Canada locations with picket lines or large demonstrations.

Tunney’s Pasture, Montreal Road, and Centrum Boulevard were subject to traffic congestion during the morning rush hour, and we can expect similar delays in the foreseeable future.

Ottawa/Gatineau commuters who travel these routes are asked to be patient, continue to obey all traffic laws, and consider an alternative route when possible.

The Ottawa Police Service will continue to monitor traffic around identified picket sites and will keep the community updated on any major traffic disruptions.

Our policing role during legal strike action is to keep the peace and ensure public safety. We ask everyone participating in or impacted by the strike action to be patient, respectful and courteous at all strike or protest locations.

For the latest traffic updates, follow @Ottawa_Traffic or visit the interactive traffic map on ottawa.ca.

Vehicle Theft on Carleton

Neighbourhood Watch Update – Vehicle Theft on Carleton Ave

“Dude, Where’s My Car?!”, became more than just a ‘90s movie title in Champlain Park recently. On March 29 a Toyota Highlander was stolen from a driveway on Carleton Ave. Video footage of the incident was captured, and has been provided to the police. If you see a crime in progress, please call the police immediately from a safe location.

Here are some suggestions to help protect your property:
Continue reading “Vehicle Theft on Carleton” →

Be Fraud-Aware this Holiday Season

As we head into the holiday season, Ottawa Police Service, in partnership with 211, is reminding residents to be cautious of scams preying on your honesty, trust, good nature and sometimes fear. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, check it out – do your research.

Never feel pressured to provide information or make a financial contribution right away. In Ottawa, you can call 211 to speak to someone who can help you figure out if something is a scam,

IMPORTANT: If you’ve been a victim of fraud and lost money in a transaction, please report the incident to the Ottawa Police Service online reporting or by calling our Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300.

Common scams circulating right now include:
• Merchandise scams
• Emergency (aka “Grannie”) scams
• Canada Revenue Agency scams
• Tech support and Refund scams

If you’re not sure if something is a scam call or not, here are a few tips:
• Hang up. If someone says they are calling from a reputable organization, like your banking institution, you should be able to contact your banking institution and verify the caller’s information or claim.
• Call 211 or phone a friend! Don’t be embarrassed! It’s becoming harder and harder to tell what is legitimate and what is a scam. 211 Ontario has a wealth of fraud prevention information and can help point you in the right direction if you need additional resources or support.
• Check out the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website or call them at 1-888-495-8501. They have up-to-date information on the latest scams and how to report them.

For more information, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.