Ottawa police are confident that they will be able to expand into the city’s communities soon in response to concerns about rising crime, but police staffing issues will need to be resolved first.
Appearing before the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on March 25, Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill said he is alarmed by crime in his ward.
“I’ve previously come to this board to discuss the importance of police presence in our area and today I reiterate those sentiments with even greater urgency,” said Hill.
“A strong police presence is not just about responding to crimes; it’s about preventing them,” he added.
Ottawa Police Service data shows that Barrhaven West has had 106 thefts reported this year.
In 2024, the ward had 705 reported thefts. The area also had some of the largest numbers of car theft in the city that year.
Hill referred to a recent “brazen shoplifting” incident at a Shopper’s Drug Mart on Strandherd Drive, saying the incident is representative of a bigger issue his ward faces.
“The benefits of a robust police presence in a community is manifold. It deters criminal activity, provides a sense of security and fosters trust between law enforcement and residents,” said Hill.
“When police officers are visible and engaged in the community, they become a part of the fabric of our daily lives, building relationships and understanding the unique challenges that we face.”
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs said he agrees, but that there are challenges.
“[Coun. Hill’s] comments are completely accurate and relevant in terms of the issues going on in [his] ward, as well as the need for more police officers in the area, no doubt,” said Stubbs during the meeting.
“Our district policing model, which is something iterative, is something we are trying to build up for the full launch in the [Barrhaven West ward] with the south facility that we will be occupying within the next two years.”
Community policing is a key part of the force’s strategic plan, but Stubbs pointed out that they are about half-way through what a staff stabilization plan, which calls for hiring more than 450 members over a three-year period that began a year and a half ago.
“That is really needed … to address the attrition that we’re going to experience, the retirements that are coming up,” said Stubbs.
The service hired 133 new recruits in 2024 and Stubbs said he hopes to meet hiring targets, based on applications.
“We had about 660 applicants in 2023. Last year we hit around 850, 860 applicants. So far this year to date … we are past 400. … That trend is very impressive.”
“We were underfunded for a number of years and need to build up, based on our population growth, the calls service, the complexity of our investigations — we need to build up our team so we can deliver for this community.”
For example, the 2024 Capital Pride parade was cut in half because of a lack of available policing.
