Weekly newsletter: May 14, 2024
Hi everyone!
Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-be, forever moms, and mother figures in the community.
A friendly reminder Monday is Victoria Day, so waste collection next week will be delayed one day to Wednesday in Barrhaven East. Readers of the newsletter from other wards may have different collection days.
Fireworks on Victoria Day
The discharge of consumer fireworks is permitted on Victoria Day as well as the day before and after only. Fireworks should be discharged from private property safely, away from buildings, vehicles, roadways, and people.
Large display fireworks require a permit from the City of Ottawa.
Unsafe behaviour can be reported to by-law by calling 3-1-1, but immediate threats to safety should be reported to the police through 9-1-1.
Call volumes are usually higher around holidays that permit fireworks, so response times may be longer based on the priority of the call.
To safely dispose of fireworks (used and unused), completely submerge them in water, then wrap it in plastic in a manner that preserves the moisture. Don’t let it dry out!
As much as many people enjoy discharging and watching fireworks, please remember some people and most pets don’t. Fireworks can be a significant stressor for people living with PTSD, including veterans. It can also be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities, including people with autism.
Stay safe!
Changes to policing
Transitioning towards a district based policing model.
Two weeks ago, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) presented its plan for transitioning towards a district based policing model.
Recognising the challenges posed by the geographic size of the city, different requirements in each area, and the resource draws by events related to the federal government, changes were needed to improve the OPS’s ability to provide effective service in communities across Ottawa.
To achieve that, some of the command structure will be decentralised into four new districts, each overseen by a district inspector.
Central – Byward Market, downtown, Glebe, Vanier, Westboro
West – Kanata, old Nepean, old Ottawa West, Stittsville, West Carleton
East – Alta Vista, Beacon Hill, Cumberland, Gloucester, Greenboro, rural east
South – Barrhaven, Manotick, Richmond, Riverside South, rural south
Earlier today, I had an introductory meeting with our area’s new district inspector and shared many of the concerns that residents have shared with me.
These include traffic safety, street racing, commercial thefts, car thefts, and general mischief in parks and forests. I also highlighted the rising instances of hate/bias-motivated crimes, including an instance of racist and hateful graffiti that was found at one of our parks over the weekend.
I also highlighted a general need for an improved presence in the community, whether it’s front-line officers monitoring a stop sign or booths at local community events. OPS are also refreshing their community engagement strategy to improve accessibility, transparency, and cooperation.
The Inspector also shared some of the ongoing challenges facing the OPS, including continuing personnel shortages (not helped by the space allocations at the Ontario Police College) and the different demands of different areas of the city which led to the need for a more locally focused model of policing.
Full transition towards the district model will happen in phases until the full and complete rollout coinciding with the opening of the new police station on Prince of Wales, which will become the south district’s headquarters.
A stream of the technical briefing provided to Council and the public is available here (link opens YouTube).
Changes will not happen overnight, given the phased approach, but as the OPS navigates through the transition and its strategy to fill staffing vacancies, the understanding is a greater focus on community policing with officers who know their communities will lead to more effective work and public safety.
Summer construction season
The 2024 construction season is underway, and several projects in Barrhaven East and surrounding communities may have an impact on your travels, whether you bike, bus, drive, or walk.
I have singled out the projects that will have the highest impact within as well as in/out of our community. Please note all start dates are tentative and may change. I will do my best to provide notice through social media.
Road resurfacing in the ward
Woodroffe, between Claridge and Longfields – June 9
Woodroffe, between railway and Fallowfield – June 23
Road resurfacing outside the ward, but on main commuter routes for the ward
Fallowfield, between Old Richmond and Eagleson – June 5
Leitrim, between River and Limebank – June 5
Baseline, between Farlane and Zena – July 14
Eagleson, northbound near Cope – July 29
Rideau Valley, between Prince of Wales and Bankfield – date TBD
Sections of sidewalks on the following streets in the ward are tentatively scheduled to be replaced, all yet to be finalised with unconfirmed start dates.
Chapman Mills between Meadgate and Clearbrook
Claridge between Totteridge and Upney
Clearbrook between Taradale and Chapman Mills
Fairpark between Len Lunney and Prince of Wales
Fallowfield Station walkways
Mountain Ash between Stoneway and Knowlton
Stoneway between Wittingham and Forest Gate east
Waterbridge between Cresthaven and Prince of Wales
Crack sealing projects are also scheduled in the ward and on major commuter routes used by residents of the ward. These are generally less disruptive and take less time but may result in off-peak lane closures.
West Hunt Club, between Merivale and Woodroffe – June 20
Prince of Wales, between Barnstone and Fairpark – August 2
Greenbank, between Banner and Iris – August 6
Greenbank, between Foxfield and Strandherd – August 16
Additionally, guardrails along Prince of Wales between Lodge Road and Barnsdale will be renewed or replaced. That project may result in some lane closures as well, although the start date has not been finalised.
Hope you have an enjoyable week and long weekend ahead. The weather forecast looks a bit iffy right now, but it is still for entertainment purposes forecast for now.
Take care!
-Wilson