Chief’s Verbal – November 28, 2011
Crime Prevention Ottawa Community Safety Awards
On November 7th Crime Prevention Ottawa held its 3rd annual Community Safety Awards. We are very please to acknowledge Constable Mahamud ELMI, a school resource officer in the south end of our city, as the winner of the Enforcement Professional Community Safety award. Constable Elmi was nominated by a member of the community who sees on a daily basis the great impact that Mo has in our community.
We are also pleased to acknowledge the Ottawa Community Youth Diversion Program, a collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, the Provincial Government, the Crowns Office and the Ottawa Police Service, that was the winner of the Community Safety Program Award. The OCYDP identifies youth and matches support programs to their needs in an attempt to divert them from continuing to be at conflict with the law.
9-run-run
At our last board meeting I spoke about the great success of the 9-run-run held on October 22nd. The event doubled in numbers this year, with Ottawa Police members representing just over 200 runners. As an update, the 9-run-run organizing team met with the Royal Ottawa Hospital on November 24th and presented them with a cheque for $25,000.00 dollars.
As part of this Ottawa emergency services sponsored fundraiser that supported youth mental health initiatives, Constable Amy HAGGERTY gathered a group of high school students to fund raise and run the 10k event. This group all completed the race while raising an amazing $3,107.07. There fundraising was the second most money collected by a group, falling short of the OFD’s efforts by $500. Congratulations to Amy and her student group for their effort and success in support this great cause.
Manotick Community Police Centre – Update
At the Oct 24 Meeting of the PSB, we presented the Lease for the Manotick Community Police Centre for approval. It has been verified the early termination clause is 12 months. Based on this information, and given the concerns raised at the last meeting, the OPS recommends that the negotiations on the Lease not be concluded and we continue on a month-to-month lease arrangement. If the Board concurs, I can take that as a direction to staff. OPS will continue to look for alternate space in the area that is available at little or no cost.
Crime Prevention Week
Declared by the province from November 6 to 12th, Ottawa Police partnered again with Crime Prevention Ottawa to celebrate and promote Crime Prevention Week in the city. Community Police Centre staff and volunteers organized a number of neighbourhood crime prevention booths, presentations and programs across the city. Some of the city’s community safety leaders and programs were honoured and celebrated at the third annual Crime Prevention Ottawa Community Safety Awards on November 7th including OPS Volunteer Patrick Mates and School Resource Officer Cst. Mahamud ELMI.
Let’s Chat Youth Café
With great assistance from a youth planning team and criminology placement student Tamara Rowe, the Ottawa Police Service and the Ottawa Police Services Board hosted a public engagement meeting with youth on Wednesday, October 26th at the Nepean Sportsplex. Over hundred youth and police explored questions and issues in small table chat discussions. Based on those discussions, ongoing Facebook dialogue, and research, the Youth and Community Development sections are creating a draft youth engagement strategy for the police service that will include a new Youth Advisory Committee for the police service. Consultation on the draft will take place between now and February, and a launch is expected mid-2012.
Bullying Awareness Week
To support Bullying Awareness Week in Ottawa (November 13 – 19th), several members and volunteers of the police service joined the Youth Section and the Community Development Section in raising awareness to support the #No More Bullies campaign led by Stuntman Stu and Majic 100. This was a great opportunity for the police service to use social media to contribute to an important community issue.
All Valuables Removed Program – 80,000 Warning Cards for Drivers
The All Valuables Removed theft from vehicle prevention program continues to receive media attention and positive feedback from the public. Since the program launched at the end of July earlier this year, over 40,000 “All Valuables Removed” warning cards have been distributed across the city largely by Community Police Centres as well as Neighbourhood Officers and auxiliaries. Another 40,000 warning cards were ordered and received earlier this month to keep up with demand. Community Development is working with program business owner Sgt. Denis HULL and Carleton University Student Austin Dow on a program evaluation which will be completed in the first quarter of 2012.
Sexual Assault Child Abuse
Two sexual assaults at Carleton University and numerous other circumstances were cleared by SACA with arrest and charges laid.
Plea in 2009 Double Homicide
Male set fire to a Christmas wreath on a door, at 1695 Playfair. Two people died resulting in 2 counts of 2nd degree murder. Accused Ali ISSAKY is scheduled to plead Guilty to 2 counts of Manslaughter on Dec 1st 2011 with sentencing to follow at a later date.
R v Wehbe, Wehbe, Wehbe and Dournhou
On Monday October 24th @ 9:00 Khaled Wehbe plead guilty to Obstruct Justice, for his role in the murder of Yazden Ghaizvand. Sentencing date: January 17, 2012.
Child Luring
Detective arranged to meet a male who thought he was meeting a 14 year old for sex. While the suspect was waiting for his “date” he approached several young girls. Suspect was arrested. Warrant for residence.
“Skull Mask Robberies”
Additional charges have been laid in several of the matters previously cleared by charge after consultation with the Crown’s Office. 4 files previously identified as SUI have now been cleared by charge, bringing the total to 9 files cleared by charge. A total of approx $45,000 in cash and cigarettes were taken. 4 robberies outside our jurisdiction are believed to have been committed by some of the same suspects. Three of these have been cleared by charge by OPP and Gatineau is investigating the last. Suspects are both known to police. Isman OSMAN has been charged in every occurrence mentioned above and Mustafa MOHAMOUD has been charged in all but two of the nine.
Fraud
Between May 2010 and September 24, 2010, there were at least 40 identified ATM tampers of T.D. Canada Trust machines in the National Capital area. All identified suspects are from the Greater Toronto. This file is related to a number of other investigations and as of this date 9 suspects have been identified. On July 13, 2010, a T.D. Canada Trust ATM machine had an overlay placed upon it; the overlay was later removed with captured data. It was later found that the information skimmed resulted in a loss to the bank in excess of $14K, with attempts being made for another $47K. The accused was subsequently identified as a result of this investigation. The second unknown male is still outstanding. A First Instance warrant has been sought for the accused.
Occupy Ottawa
The Ottawa Police Service has been engaged, along with the RCMP, NCC and City Partners, in the Occupy Ottawa protest at Confederation Park since October 15, 2011. Up until Nov. 23rd, there were minimal costs associated with the Ottawa Police for the monitoring of Occupy Ottawa. There was some overtime incurred, primarily for the initial events (the Occupy Ottawa March) on October 15th, which totaled just under $7,000.00. The operation to evict those remaining in the park on November 23rd, incurred some overtime as well as minimal logistics costs. It is estimated that overtime costs will be in the vicinity of $16,000.00 for that night.
The total estimated cost incurred by the OPS for this event from October 15th to November 23rd was slightly over $24,000.00.
The Pilot Project “The Real You OPS Wellness Program”
The Real You has used the expertise of our multi-disciplinary team of medical doctor, naturopathic doctors, registered psychologist and registered physiotherapists to provide the following:
1. Comprehensive Medical Assessment and Screening
2. Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation
3. Comprehensive Nutrition Assessment, Education and Counselling
4. Comprehensive Fitness Assessment and One-to-one personalized fitness training
5. Mindfulllness and Meditation Education and Counselling
More than 20 medical conditions and ailments have been diagnosed. These diagnoses have aided the Real You Team in working with participants to improve their condition through primarily lifestyle and behaviour change, medication, as well as support from referrals to other medical and allied professionals. Many participants have seen improvements in multiple facets of their life and this has contributed to the achievement of the overall goal of the Real You program which is to help participants through a holistic and supportive approach, prevent illness, improve their overall health, level of peace and happiness so that they may fulfill their human potential and thereby have a greater positive impact on their families, co-workers and greater community.