Police warn students, drivers as classes resume
Posted Sep 6, 2016 06:47:16 AM.
Last Updated Sep 6, 2016 04:47:41 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — As more than 100,000 English-speaking elementary and high school students in Ottawa return to class to begin another school year, and first-year college and university students celebrate their first foray into adulthood, police will be keeping an eye on both.
Community police officers spent Labour Day handing out brochures that explain the potential penalties for hosting an out-of-control orientation week party.
“The key message is, don’t invite us to your party,” said S/Sgt. Sam Fawaz, Ottawa Police. Officers will be on the lookout in areas around college and universities for things like public drunkenness and noise by-law complaints.
“Last year, around this time, we had large…keg parties, where 300 to 400 people would be in a small area or residence,” Fawaz told 1310 NEWS.
While police urge responsible drinking, they also warn students to watch out for each other at campus events, and to never leave their drinks unattended.
Ottawa Police launch school zone safety blitz
In addition to zeroing in on safety on-campus, Ottawa Police are also patrolling school zones and school bus routes.
Officers launched a week-long school zone safety blitz and numerous drivers were ticketed for offences including speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign and parking in a no-stop zone.
Drivers who don’t stop for a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing can face significant penalties:
- First offence: $400 to $2,000 and six demerit points
- Each following offence: $1,000 to $4,000, six demerit points and possible jail time (up to six months)
Vehicle owners can be charged if their vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, even if they weren’t driving at the time.
Between 2010 and 2014, there were 890 collisions within school zones in Ottawa, on school days around bell time, resulting in 207 injuries — numbers that police hope to cut down.
