Ottawa Police Services Board

November 24, 2014

Chief’s Verbal Report

Good evening,

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

Website “Hacking”

As you are aware, three websites and organizations in Ottawa were the target of attempted disruptions by an as yet unidentified hacker over the weekend.  This activity has led to a service disruption of ottawapolice.ca that we are working to resolve.  We have also been taking other steps to further protect our IT security and investigate these incidents.  I cannot comment on the investigation.  Despite the threats and service issues to ottawapolice.ca, our systems remain secure and our operations continue to run normally.

I recognize that the City of Ottawa website has been up and down as well; we are working closely with the City to support their work and conduct criminal investigations around the service disruptions.

Leave the Phone Alone Campaign

As part of the Leave the Phone Alone Campaign, a four day city-wide traffic enforcement blitz was conducted targeting cell phone use by drivers.  We partnered with Safer Roads Ottawa, CTV, Bell Media Group and the Canadian Automobile Association.  Leave the Phone Alone is a reminder to drivers that texting or talking on the phone while driving is not only illegal, it is dangerous.

Between November 18 and 21, 261 violations in relation to cell phone use were issued.

Throughout the campaign, traffic officers handed out pledge cards and thumb rings to help change driving behavior.  Over the past five years, there have been 23,283 collisions involving distracted driving, resulting in 6463 injuries and 18 deaths.

I encourage everyone to go to leavethephonealone.ca to take the pledge to leave the phone alone while driving.  I want to congratulate Sgt. D. Hull from the East Division Traffic Unit who created this initiative and been a strong supporter to ensure the campaign thrives.

Shooting at War Memorial - October 22 2014

I am proud of our members who demonstrated on October 22 that we are a team that is fully committed to the security and safety of our community.  We received a number of messages of support from the public.  Our members and partners responded with professionalism and bravery in the face of uncertainty and danger.

Overtime pressures resulting from the incident response and subsequent investigation over the following days is approximately $250,000.  Staff are currently identifying measures to mitigate the pressures going forward and strive to end the year with a balanced budget.

Rememberance Day Events

I want to publically thank our members, and partners in the Federal Government and the City of Ottawa, for their service at Remembrance Day ceremonies across the city.  A great deal of planning goes into these events.  Our members attended ceremonies or worked on Remembrance Day to provide security and reassurance to the citizens of Ottawa, they all had an impact.  Based on first hand feedback from the community, they were pleased about how our operations were handled.

It is our duty to remember and honour those who have died and to recognize the service of all veterans. Many of them are past and present Members of the Ottawa Police Service and they have our gratitude and respect.

Project Sweeper

Last week, the Street Crime Unit, with support from the Central Division Neighbourhood Unit, completed a four month investigation in the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau area targeting street level drug trafficking, called Project Sweeper.  A total of 47 persons were identified to be charged with Trafficking-related offences, as well as other offences; 33 have already been arrested and charged and officers are still seeking another 14 individuals.  Cash and drugs were also seized.

This Project is part of our response to community concerns about street level drug trafficking in the area.  We will continue to work with area residents and businesses to target street level drug trafficking and enhance public safety.

Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW)

On November 22, 2014, Ottawa Police were dispatched to assist Paramedics for the report of a suicidal 50 year old man who had not been eating or drinking.  The man was outside of the residence and was described as not being adequately dressed for the weather. Paramedics had attempted to assess the man prior to police arrival, but he refused and began walking away from them and fled into the woods.

Constables assisted paramedics with the search for the man who was located a short time later unconscious in a snow bank.  He was escorted to an ambulance where he became agitated and smashed an ambulance window.  He began moving aggressively towards the paramedics when a CEW was deployed.  The man has been the subject of a number of previous Mental Health Act (MHA) apprehensions.

MANifesting Change to End Violence Against Women

As you know, violence against women is one of my priorities.  The Ottawa Police, along with Crime Prevention Ottawa and the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW), launched a campaign to help end violence against women called I can MANifest change.  The campaign invites men and male youth to become engaged in this community issue by uploading a picture of themselves to the I can MANifest change website and making a personal pledge.  The focus on this group is meant to highlight that violence against women is not a women’s issue and that men and male youth are a big part of the solution.

Good W ork by Auxiliary Members

In late September, OPS Auxiliary members were assisting at the Richmond Fair when a member of the public reported a missing elderly Alzheimer’s patient to Cst. Lori Fahey.  Auxiliary members Cook and MacDonald volunteered to assist in the search.  They canvassed businesses and pedestrians and eventually located the missing person quite a distance away.  The missing person was very quickly located due to their efforts and they are to be commended for their actions.

John Sweep

In a response to numerous community complaints the Central District Office, assisted by West District and patrol , conducted a two (2) night “John Sweep” in late October, in the Vanier area.  13 males were arrested and were dealt with pre-charge diversion as well as criminal charges.

Crime Prevention Week

I want to thank the members and partners involved in Crime Prevention Week earlier this month.  There were 35 events throughout the city focusing on this year’s theme “Community Safety & Well Being = A Shared Responsibility”.  Crime Prevention is a vital component in our strategy to keep our city safe and it was great to see our partnerships highlighted this week.

Thank you.