Police chief stresses need for additional personnel before implementing broader community policing initiatives.
Revised Output
While Ottawa police are keen on boosting their presence in the city's communities, especially in light of the rising crime rates, staffing concerns are hindering their expansion into areas like Barrhaven West.
Coun. David Hill expressed his worries about crime in Barrhaven West during the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on March 25. He emphasized the significance of a strong police presence not just for responding to crimes, but for preventing them.
The Ottawa Police Service data shows that Barrhaven West has witnessed a substantial increase in thefts compared to previous years, with 106 cases reported this year alone. In 2024, the ward had a whopping 705 reported thefts, including some of the largest numbers of car thefts in the city that year.
Recently, a "bold shoplifting" incident took place at a Shopper's Drug Mart on Strandherd Drive, an incident that Hill believes is representative of the broader problem faced by his ward.
Hill underscored the numerous benefits a robust police presence brings: it deters criminal activity, provides a sense of security, and fosters trust between the law enforcement and residents. According to Hill, when police officers are visible and actively involved in the community, they become an integral part of the community fabric, forging relationships and understanding the unique challenges that the community faces.
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs agreed with Hill's sentiments, acknowledging challenges in implementing community policing due to staffing issues. Stubbs mentioned their district policing model, which is intended for full launch in Barrhaven West ward with the south facility set to be occupied within the next two years. However, the OPS is currently about halfway through a staff stabilization plan that aims to hire over 450 members over a three-year period, which began 1½ years ago.
Stubbs emphasized the necessity of meeting the hiring targets in order to handle attrition and upcoming retirements. So far, the service has hired 133 new recruits in 2024, and Stubbs aims to achieve hiring targets based on the applications they receive.
The Ottawa Police Service has faced underfunding in the past and needs to scale up in response to population growth, call volume, and investigation complexity in order to provide a better service to the community. For instance, the 2024 Capital Pride parade was cut in half due to a lack of available policing.
As the community and the police service work together to address these challenges, strategies like enhanced community engagement, targeted recruitment campaigns, and training programs tailored to serve diverse communities may play a vital role in ensuring the safety and satisfaction of the community members.
- The increase in crime rates in Barrhaven West has led to concerns about the insufficient police presence, a problem acknowledged by both Councilor David Hill and Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs.
- In response to the rising crime rates and staffing issues, the Ottawa Police Service is implementing a district policing model, with the south facility in Barrhaven West expected to be occupied within the next two years.
- The new district policing model aims to address staff shortages and improve community policing by hiring over 450 new members as part of a three-year staff stabilization plan.
- As of 2024, Barrhaven West has seen an astonishing 106 cases of theft, which is a significant increase compared to previous years and includes some of the largest numbers of car thefts in the city during 2024.
- To effectively combat crime and improve community safety, the police service and the community must collaborate to implement strategies such as enhanced community engagement, targeted recruitment campaigns, and training programs tailored to serve diverse communities.
- The underfunding and staffing challenges that the Ottawa Police Service has faced in recent years have affected the service's ability to provide adequate coverage for events like the 2024 Capital Pride parade, which was cut in half due to a lack of available policing.
