Ottawa Police Services Board

September 22, 2014

Chief’s Verbal Report

 

Good evening,

 

I have a number of items on which to update the Board.

 

Update on Guns and Gangs Priority

 

Our officers continue to work to put pressure on street gangs in our city.   While we work with the community on a variety of partnerships to address this issue, I want to highlight some of our enforcement and suppression activities.

 

We are:

·       Using intelligence information to identify hot spots for gun and gang violence to focus our enforcement activities.

·       Doing compliance checks on known gang members and their associates

·       Increasing our visibility in high risk areas and

·       Conducting investigations and search warrants to hold offenders accountable.

 

So far this year, there have been 49 people -- 42 of them gang members or associates -- charged in Gun & Gangs investigations. 

These investigations include stabbings, home takeovers, weapon offences, drug trafficking, robberies, forcible confinement and assaults.    Our DART Unit alone has logged over 400 proactive calls for service in the community this year. Compliance checks alone have resulted in 26 breach of conditions.  We have also seized 49 crime guns  --  more than half of them handguns.

 

I joined some neighbourhood officers on bikes last week in the Heatherington-area and I was encouraged by the comments from residents, businesses and building superintendents who said they are feeling safer and are comforted by the police presence in the area.

 

There have been 30 shootings to date, half of those confirmed to be gang-related. 12 people have been charged in those shooting and we continue to investigate the cases that remain unsolved. 

 

The issue of witnesses not speaking to police continues to hamper some investigations. I want to reemphasize the opportunity to report crimes anonymously including Crimestoppers.

 

I am proud of the work our members continue to do.  While this update has focused on enforcement we know that tackling the issue of guns and gangs has to be shared between the community and the police.  That is why the collective, multi-stakeholder Ottawa Gang Strategy is so critical and why we continue to work with our partners.

 

Tomorrow, Crime Prevention Ottawa will be releasing the one year progress report for the Ottawa Gang Strategy.  It outlines a number of initiatives that are underway to deal with gangs through prevention, intervention, and neighbourhood cohesion, in addition to enforcement/suppression activities.

 

Successful Conviction of Serial Sexual Assault

 

I want to note the successful conviction of Magabi Lashury SULEIMAN last week, who was found guilty on a number of charges related to sexual assaults against two women and other incidents against five more.  Our investigators were able to link four (4) separate incidents between the 19th of March and the 1st of May, 2011, in which young women were offered rides by a male in the Byward Market and subsequently victimized.  The victims were between the ages of 19 and 22 years. 

 

Suspect Charged in String of Break-ins, Thefts of Automobiles

 

Our Forensic  Identification officers and Break and Enter Unit helped end a string of break-ins and automobile thefts this month that affected businesses and residences in Ottawa South.   The suspect was stealing cars from auto shops, driving them to the location of his break-ins, and then leaving the car behind.   In most instances, the suspect targeted new homes under construction, taking anything from appliances to electronics.  A number of officers were involved in this investigation, from retrieving forensic evidence from the crime scenes to identifying the suspect.

 

The individual was charged with 18 counts of B&E and 8 counts of Theft of Motor Vehicle along with other charges.    

 

West End Joint Enforcement Initiative with OC Transpo Special Constables

 

Earlier this month, West Neighbourhood Officers and OC Transpo Transit Special Constables worked in partnership to address various offences occurring on OC Transit vehicles and connecting City of Ottawa properties.  A zero tolerance approach was taken in regards to violators and a number of charges resulted, including 19 under the Liquor Licence Act (mainly open liquor) and 94 under City of Ottawa By-laws.

 

Heatherington Bike Safety Event

On August 14, East District Neighbourhood officers, in partnership with our Safer Roads Ottawa partners and local businesses, hosted a cycling safety event for youth in the Heatherington community.  Dozens of children showed up and each was presented with a brand new helmet that was properly fitted by a police officer.

 

The kids each received a new bike bell, had the chance to bike through an obstacle course, learned some safety tips, and received a certificate.  It was a great community event and just one example of how our officers build relationships and connections in our community.


Back to School

 

This past Thursday to Saturday, members of our Service teamed up with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, City of Ottawa By-Law, and OC Transpo Special Constables, to conduct nuisance-based enforcement in several downtown neighbourhoods.  The enforcement targeted ongoing community concerns in the downtown core associated with disturbances, noise, public intoxication, drug use, aggressive driving and property damage. 

 

The combined agencies issued a total of 426 Provincial offence notices including Liquor Licence Act and By-law violations.  As well, 16 charges were laid under the Criminal Code including theft, fraud, and breach of judicial conditions.

 

The enforcement initiative followed proactive steps taken by our officers and community partners to help ensure a safe transition of university students back to the downtown area. 

 

Man charged with Ecstasy Trafficking

 

As a result of a one month undercover investigation, Ottawa Police Drug officers arrested a 21 year old man and charged him with 2 counts of Trafficking Ecstasy as well as other related charges.  This was an important investigation in the trafficking of this drug in Ottawa.  Our approach is not solely focused on enforcement. Our Drug Unit officers are also working with Ottawa Public Health and other partners on messaging to warn youth on the life- threatening dangers of these types of illegal drugs.

 

This summer our officers investigated a death and serious illness related to young people who took ecstasy.

 

Ride and Run to Remember, Annual Memorial Service

 

Finally, I want to mention that this week the Run to Remember and the Ride to Remember is taking place from September 23 to 27.   Starting from Queen’s Park in Toronto, walkers, runners and cyclists will end their journey in Ottawa this weekend to mark the memorial weekend.  I also want to re-extend my invitation to the Board to join with our members at the annual Canadian Police and Peace Officer’s Memorial on Parliament Hill this coming Sunday.  This is an important day for all members of police services and their families as we have a chance to collectively recognize the service and sacrifice of our lost colleagues.

 

Thank you.