Public Meeting: vandalism, break-ins and disturbances

I recently held a public safety meeting with several senior Police officers and by-law officers to discuss ongoing issues and disturbances on our pathways and in our parks and an increase in home and car break-ins and vandalism.

Ottawa Police Staff Sergeant Jim Devine, who was present at the meeting, urged residents to report any suspicious activity to police as the calls are recorded and entered into a police database, which creates target areas, or ‘hot spots,’ allowing police to focus on these areas. Further, a steady stream of calls from residents indicates on-going issues, and Police can allocate the necessary resources to combat the issue; however, if the incidents are not being reported, the problem falls through the cracks.

There is an 11pm curfew in City parks every night and a curfew for youths 16 years and younger who are without a parent/guardian on City streets. Parents are responsible for their minor children and Police advise parents to read and be familiar with the Parental Responsibility Act.

Noise concerns after 11pm, such as a loud party, is considered a by-law concern and should be reported by either calling 311 or e-mailing 311@ottawa.ca. Staff will log your details and provide them on to by-law personnel. However, drinking, drug-use or fighting in a park would be considered a Police issue and should be immediately reported.

There are several ways to keep your house and car less attractive to criminals. Police remind residents to keep windows, doors, garage doors and cars locked. As well, do not leave the garage door opener in your car in plain view.

Police are currently dispatched from the Greenbank Road detachment. However, a new Police Station is being constructed on Huntmar Road, opening next year. Until then, residents are welcome to stop into the Community Police office located at 95 Abbeyhill Drive and speak to Police personally.

The Police offer many programs that can assist in safeguarding our community. For more information, please visit www.ottawapolice.ca.
 

Limiting the spread of the H1N1 virus at summer camps

Ottawa Public Health is asking summer camp operators and parents to be attentive towards the novel H1N1 flu virus and help take some simple precautions to reduce the spread this summer.

While the majority of laboratory-confirmed cases have been mild in nature, children and youth have made up more than half of the confirmed cases. It is important that parents and camp counsellors are cognizant of symptoms, and encourage practices that limit the spread of the virus, such as good hand washing habits and cough etiquette.

Parents should keep children at home when they display flu-like symptoms - such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, head and muscle aches, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea. An ill child at home should have limited contact with other family members and friends. Once the fever is gone and the child is feeling better, participation in camp activities can start again.

At all times, children should be discouraged from sharing personal items such as straws, water bottles, and mouth protectors.

For both day and overnight camp operators, the parents’ daytime and evening contact numbers should be registered. To help monitor and prevent the spread of the novel H1N1 virus, parents are asked to report any absence to the camp operators, letting them know of their child's symptoms. Camp operators who see an absentee rate greater than 10 per cent due to illness are asked to notify Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.
 

Schools out – now what?

Crime Prevention Ottawa has released helpful information targeted at the youth of our community who are now entering their summer vacation. I encourage parents to share this information with their children.

For many teens, a job will be a launching pad for the rest of the summer. I encourage teens to visit www.ottawa.ca, www.youthconnect.ca, and www.youth.gc.ca for employment opportunities at all three levels of government and in other areas. For those students in need of volunteer hours, visit www.volunteerottawa.ca for openings.

Parents should also visit the City’s website for information on summer camps. Drop-ins centres, such as those offered by the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Ottawa, offer flexibility in programming. Many day programs in the City are subsidized. For more information, visit www.parentsresource.on.ca. More...