Ottawa police, in partnership with other enforcement agencies, laid more than 500 charges during a “nuisance enforcement project” over the past weekend.
The project began the evening of June 1 and ended on June 3. The three-day crackdown took place in Centretown, the Byward Market, Lowertown, Sandy Hill, and Vanier.
Ottawa police partnered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, City of Ottawa By-Law, and OC Transpo special constables.
The project’s goal was to address community concerns such as noise, public intoxication, drug use, aggressive driving and property damage.
A police news release says 499 charges were laid under the Liquor Licence Act, the Safe Streets Act, the Trespass to Property Act, the Highway Traffic Act, the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, and Ottawa Bylaws.
Other charges laid included five under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and nine under the Criminal Code.
"The goal of the nuisance enforcement project is to promote the safe and lawful enjoyment of downtown streets, sidewalks, parks, Transitway properties and businesses," Ottawa Police Insp. Uday Jaswal said in a statement.
"We are working with the local community and residents to address their concerns regarding nuisance offences,” said Jaswal, adding that “our approach to violators is education through the enforcement.”