Downtown Core Safety Plan to Strengthen Community Safety

The plan responds to ongoing public safety and social disorder challenges in some of the city’s most active and visible neighbourhoods. It brings together increased police presence, targeted enforcement, and strong partnerships with the City of Ottawa and community agencies to address crime, disorder and vulnerability in public spaces. 

“Our downtown matters deeply to Ottawa,” said Chief of Police Eric Stubbs. “It is where people live, work, raise families, run businesses, and come together as a community. This plan is about being present, being proactive, and doing our part—alongside our partners—to make downtown Ottawa safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant for everyone.” 

The Downtown Safety Plan is built around five key goals: reducing violence and serious crime, disrupting repeat and violent offenders, increasing visible police presence, supporting vulnerable individuals through coordinated responses, and restoring public confidence in downtown safety. 

OPS will implement a dedicated downtown policing model that includes high-visibility foot, bike, vehicle, and mounted patrols aligned to peak demand times and hotspot locations. Officers from patrol, neighbourhood teams, and specialized units will work together using intelligence-led deployment to focus resources where they are needed most. 

Deputy Chief Paul Burnett said the plan reflects a shift toward more proactive and coordinated policing in the downtown core. “With additional officers now assigned to the area, we are able to dedicate resources each shift to proactive patrols, targeted enforcement, and early intervention,” he said. “This is about addressing the behaviours and repeat offending that drive harm, while also working closely with partners to support people in crisis.” 

The plan also emphasizes coordinated responses to social disorder and quality-of-life concerns, including joint outreach and crisis response with City services, health partners, bylaw, and community agencies. OPS recognizes that policing alone cannot address the complex social challenges present downtown, and that long-term success depends on collaboration. 

OPS will monitor crime trends, enforcement activity, and community impacts to ensure the plan remains responsive, evidence-based, and accountable. 

The Downtown Safety Plan was publicly announced in April at the Ottawa Police Service Board meeting as part of ongoing efforts to support safety, confidence, and recovery in Ottawa’s downtown. 

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