Police, bylaw upping presence during Panda Game in several downtown neighbourhoods

With local sports fans set to go for this weekend’s Panda Game, Ottawa police and bylaw officers say they have a plan in place to ensure everyone celebrates the event safely.

With Saturday being the day the Carleton University Ravens and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees square off in their annual football game, Ottawa police and bylaw say they’ll have more officers in several downtown neighbourhoods to ensure everyone is being safe and law-abiding during the celebrations.

The police and bylaw presence will start early Saturday and continue until after the game in the Sandy Hill, Old Ottawa South and Glebe areas, as well as TD Place/Lansdowne Park.

OPS says officers will be on the lookout for unsafe activity, trespassing, public drinking and intoxications and other social disorder issues.

“If you see something, say something,” police said in a Wednesday news release. “For everyone’s safety, during your pre-game and post-game commute, keep roads clear for emergency services so paramedics, fire and police vehicles can safely and quickly get to calls for service.”

OPH says it has worked with community associations, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and other city services in an effort to create a coordinated plan that supports a safe event with minimal disruptions to the community.

To reduce the impact in these areas, game go-ers are encouraged to use free shuttle services to and from the game offered at both universities.

The game will be held at TD Place and will start at 12 p.m. on Saturday.