Heavy police presence expected in ByWard Market and Sandy Hill for St. Patrick’s Day weekend
Posted Mar 13, 2019 03:57:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ottawa Police Service, alongside Ottawa By-Law and Regulatory Services and the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario, will be out in greater numbers in the ByWard Market and Sandy Hill over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, in order to address public disorder, drinking and large gatherings.
Officers said the initiative is part of a community safety education and enforcement campaign to ensure law-abiding behaviour, and to remind visitors to these areas to respect residents and their property.
In advance of the weekend, Community Police Officers proactively visited addresses in the Sandy Hill area with reminders to encourage people to be good neighbours. They also reminded residents that police and by-law enforcement officers would be around to enforce laws related to excessive noise, open alcohol in public places, public intoxication, underage drinking, damage to property and trespassing.
Police will also be conducting a RIDE program, looking to take any alcohol and drug impaired drivers off local roads.
The OPS has been encouraging property owners to grant it 'agent status,' to enable officers to enforce the Trespass to Property Act in case partygoers would spill onto their private property.
Public safety will be the number one priority for local police, and officers will be enforcing the law, so the OPS is encouraging residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly.
