Ottawa’s police chief insists ByWard Market safe despite recent assaults, stabbings in tourist area

Police tape at the scene of an assault in the ByWard Market on Sunday. (Scott Rook/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa’s police chief insists the ByWard Market is safe but admits there are some areas that are “a little problematic” around the popular tourist area.

Some residents have raised concerns about safety in the ByWard Market after a series of incidents over the past two weeks, including two assaults in the area of Cumberland Street and George Street last weekend.

On Saturday, emergency crews found a man suffering from a laceration to his face in the area of Cumberland and George. On Sunday, a man was treated for a head injury after an incident at the intersection.

• Back-to-back stabbings renew safety concerns in Ottawa’s core

Speaking on CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Tuesday, Chief Eric Stubbs said the Ottawa Police Service has a “comprehensive plan” to be in the ByWard Market area.

“We also have our Market Safe Program, where in the evenings and late into the night we have extra officers to ensure the safety of the bar district,” Stubbs said.

“But people need to know that the ByWard Market is safe. There are certain areas, there is no doubt that are a little problematic. We know those areas where the vulnerable populations do congregate, but in general, people can go down, have supper, they can shop, they can enjoy the ByWard Market, and they’ll be safe.”

Stubbs told CTV Your Morning Ottawa the Sunday incident shortly after the World Cup party in the ByWard Market was not a random attack.

“Sometimes, you know, in that downtown core area and certain parts of it, that population gets into conflicts with each other, and sometimes these events occur,” Stubbs said.

“It’s unfortunate that it occurred during that event. It’s unfortunate when it occurs at any time, but the people are known to each other, and we do have those that committed those offences under charge.”

The Ottawa Police Service has boosted the presence of officers in the ByWard Market and downtown core this summer to address safety concerns from residents, businesses and tourists.

The plan includes officers from the Neighbourhood Resource Team, community policing officers, special constables and traffic officers conducting proactive and reactive work, managing social disorder and targeting prolific offenders in retail theft and drug trafficking.

“We have our Downtown Safety Plan that we’ve launched for the summer. We’re data driven, evidence driven, as well as speaking to the users, the councillors, the business owners,” Stubbs said. “We’re making sure we’re getting to the areas, the hotspot areas that we need to be and we’re documenting that. We’re tracking where we are throughout the downtown core...to make sure we’re where we need to be.”

Police conducted targeted safety and enforcement activities in the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau areas on Friday and Saturday.

“Throughout the weekend, officers maintained a visible presence, conducted proactive patrols and engaged with residents, visitors and businesses,” police said.

Officers issued three Provincial Offence Notices under the Trespass to Property Act, 14 tickets for Bylaw infractions and handed out six parking tickets.

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