By Sandra Milton
Have you noticed the Neighbourhood Resource Teams (NRT) coming through the Lowertown neighbourhood on their bikes?Ottawa Police Services was provided funding and, in May 2020, an NRT was launched to support the request to increase police presence in Lowertown and Sandy Hill and address these communities’ concerns about crime and social disorder. NRTs were also deployed in other neighbourhoods.
Members of NRTs are experienced officers and dedicated exclusively to their assigned neighbourhoods. This will allow them to build long-term relationships and get to know the people and communities they serve.
NRT officers have been given specialized training, focusing on the areas where they will be deployed. It includes partnering with other services, orientation and familiarizing themselves with the unique issues in each area. You may have known them previously as the “Bikes and Beats” .
The NRT programs are being monitored by Carleton University’s Dr. Linda Duxbury. Her team will evaluate the efficacy of the NRTs and offer feedback as the program grows. This accountability measure will ensure that goals are set, and met, to improve overall community safety. The Lowertown Community Association (LCA), ByWard Market BIA, residents and social services are also working with Dr. Duxbury’s team to provide feedback on the role the NRTs play in their area.
If you wish to contribute to the Police survey by the University of Carleton please go to: http://cuhealth.eu.qualtrics.com.
As LCA executive for Safety and Security I am an advocate for the Community Officer and NRTs. They are important to our community, providing consistency to the demands of the neighbourhood. The officers get to know the area hot spots, and work with the community and the individual issues in each area of Lowertown. The relationship between the police and the community is important to ensure residents feel safe. For me, there is a trust knowing that I can call and an officer will address the need at that time.
The Lowertown Community Police Officer (CPO) Constable Lemay is the main point of contact for the neighbourhood, and works closely with the NRTs, community partners, the ByWard Market BIA, the LCA, social services, Crime Prevention Ottawa and other services.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting crimes using normal practices,
dialing 911 for life-threatening
emergencies and crimes in progress,
and 613-236-1222, extension 7502 for
non-emergencies as well as OPS online.
All services are available 24-7.
The NRT and the Ottawa Police Services (OPS) cannot resolve the issues of Lowertown themselves. They are here to assist and provide input for a collaborative and engaged community. The LCA is engaged with Dr. Duxbury and her team at Carleton University, the OPS, Councillor Fleury and other Lowertown groups to create focus groups for a long-term vision and governance model.
Questions to the Lowertown Community Officer:
Q: Constable Lemay, how many NRT officers are working in Lowertown?
A: There are 4 teams that cover 9 a.m. to 11p.m. daily from Monday to Wednesday. From Thursday to Sunday the team’s extended hours are until 3 a.m. The teams also cover protests happening in Lowertown, Sandy Hill and the Parliamentary district. Each team is comprised of eight officers and one sergeant.
Q: Have the NRT police officers received specialized training for this role?
A: Special training include: police training, police specialty training, understanding the needs of the area, bicycle training, medical training, other training to deal with various requirements and awareness.
Q: Have you and the NRTs seen a difference in the area since May 2020 (e.g. less crime, ability to respond to services faster, understanding community needs)?
A: We have received overall positive feedback regarding visibility and accessibility to police on foot or on bike.
Q: What other services are you aligned with to assist your role?
A: We have a collaborative approach with other services, such as, the City departments, councillor, social services including Ottawa Inner City Health, housing and various other services.
Q: How many miles a day do you cover on your bikes?
A: This depends upon the day, as we stop and engage with people or deal with incidents. We may range up to approximately 40 km per day.
Q: Is there anything the residents/community of Lowertown can do to assist the NRT?
A: Make the right call. If you see something, say something. Get to know your NRTs., Unless they are on a particular call they are here to get to know you.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting crimes using normal practices, dialing 911 for life-threatening emergencies and crimes in progress, and 613-236-1222, extension 7502 for non-emergencies as well as OPS online. All services are available 24-7.
Sandra Milton is the LCA Board Member dealing with safety & security