New Rideau Centre police hub to open by June 3
The new Ottawa police hub in the Rideau Centre will open in early June, as the service launches a new plan intended to improve safety for residents, tourists and businesses in the tourist area.
The Ottawa Police Service announced the launch of the 'Community Outreach Response and Enforcement Strategy' (CORE) on Tuesday.
"CORE is an action plan focused on reducing crime in specific areas of Ottawa by dealing with the root issues," police said in a statement.
"In these beginning stages, CORE will focus on enhancing public safety in the ByWard Market and Rideau Street area."
The new CORE strategy includes opening a Neighbourhood Operations Centre in the Rideau Centre, officers targeting "hot spots of high crime concentration" and focused enforcement "identifying high-harm offenders," according to police.
“The CORE Strategy represents a significant step forward in our commitment to community safety," Chief Eric Stubbs said. "By leveraging data-driven decision-making and fostering strong partnerships, we can better understand the root causes of crime and implement sustainable solutions."
The new Neighbourhood Operations Centre (NOC) on the first floor of the Rideau Centre along Rideau Street will open by Monday, June 3.
"The NOC will act as a vital coordination hub to enhance police presence and provide a collaborative space to work with our local partners," police said.
Ottawa police have said the Rideau Centre hub will not be open to the public when it first opens. The Neighbourhood Resources Team and Community Police will use the centre to coordinate operations, hold briefings and host community meetings.
A release from Ottawa police outlined plans for the focused efforts in the Rideau Street and ByWard Market area, saying police will be "increasing visible police presence" in high-priority areas.
"The fact of the matter is that a small number of repeat offenders are responsible for a significant portion of the criminal activity downtown," police said. "Some are involved in serious offences, including violent assaults, robberies, and trafficking dangerous substances such as fentanyl," police said.
"Using OPS Neighbourhood Resource Teams (NRTs), the CORE strategy concentrates police efforts on addressing the actions of these individuals to reduce their impact on community residents, businesses, and visitors."
A report for the Ottawa Police Services Board shows hot spots in the ByWard Market and Rideau Street area based on highest Crime Severity Index of primary offences between Feb. 19 and March 17, 2024. (Ottawa Police Services Board/report)
Police say the new strategy has been developed through "extensive consultation with local stakeholders and partners," adding the goal is to seek "long-term solutions to improve safety downtown.
Ottawa police will receive $48 million from the Ontario government over three years to address community and public safety. The funding will cover an increase in uniformed police officers in the ByWard Market and on the transit system, along with alternative mental health supports. Staff say the Community Outreach Response and Engagement Strategy is a central element of the plan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Smith tells Trudeau Alberta will opt out of federal dental plan
Alberta is opting out of the federal dental plan, the premier told the Canadian government late Tuesday afternoon.
One of Canada's most popular vehicles recalled over transmission issue; 95,000 impacted
One of the country's most popular vehicles is being recalled in Canada due to a transmission issue that may impact tens of thousands of drivers.
WikiLeaks' Assange pleads guilty in deal with U.S. that secures his freedom, ends legal fight
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that secures his liberty and concludes a drawn-out legal saga that raised divisive questions about press freedom and national security.
'We need to regroup,' says Liberal minister and Ontario campaign co-chair in light of byelection loss
A member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet and the party's Ontario co-chair for the next campaign says the Liberals 'need to regroup' after a shocking overnight byelection loss to Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.
Pre-med students can't take MCAT in Quebec because of Bill 96
Areeba Ahmed says she's always dreamed of becoming a surgeon but her road to the operating room has become a complicated one ever since Quebec's French language law came into effect.
Protesters try to topple Queen Victoria statue near pro-Palestinian encampment in Montreal
Montreal police were called to intervene after protesters attempted to tear down the Queen Victoria statue at Victoria Square.
Cup Noodles serves up notoriously poisonous pufferfish
Pufferfish is regarded as a luxury in Japan and a meal featuring the potentially poisonous delicacy can easily cost up to 20,000 yen (US$125) at high-end restaurants.
'Truly a great British Columbian': Former B.C. premier John Horgan has cancer again
Former B.C. premier and current Canadian ambassador to Germany John Horgan has been diagnosed with cancer for a third time.
New experience in Halifax gets people up close and personal to the ocean's most feared predator
Atlantic Shark Expeditions launched a new shark cage experience which gives brave attendees a chance to get up close and personal with the oceans most feared predator.