Downtown retail theft pilot project continues to show results
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 3, 2026 11:30 a.m.
Ottawa — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) continues to see positive results from its retail theft pilot in Downtown Rideau.
Since the pilot began, officers have laid 1,779 charges, including theft-related offences as well as breach of probation, breach of undertaking, failure to comply with Youth Criminal Justice Act sentences, disguise with intent, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and mischief.
While the initiative has focused primarily on reports originating from CF Rideau Centre, investigators have also been able to link repeat offenders to thefts reported elsewhere across the city.
The pilot will continue until September 30. Based on the results achieved to date, OPS is developing plans for how the approach could be expanded beyond the current pilot.
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