Ottawa Police Report Decline in Crime in ByWard Market Area

Recent data from the Ottawa Police Service indicates a significant decline in crime within the ByWard Market area over the past year. Contributing factors include the establishment of a new police outpost on Rideau Street, a strategic shift in enforcement, and an increased police presence aimed at addressing low-level crime.

The Neighbourhood Operations Centre, which opened in June 2024, has been pivotal in this effort. It functions as a “coordination hub” for police, OC Transpo special constables, and various community partners. Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs noted that the new outpost has been instrumental in reducing emergency calls by nearly 7% over the past year, despite a spike in calls during July, attributed to increased foot traffic and warm weather.

During a presentation to the city council, the ByWard Market District Authority reported that the area feels safer since the police hub became fully operational. Stubbs remarked, “We definitely have seen a decrease in call volume for the general area… it’s close to a seven percent decrease, which isn’t insignificant.”

In 2024, the ByWard Market experienced a resurgence in visitor traffic, with 22 million distinct visits recorded, according to the ByWard Market Business Improvement Area. Suzanne Valiquet, vice-chair of the BMDA, expressed optimism, stating, “We have heard from businesses and residents alike that our district feels safer with our new neighbourhood police officer presence.”

Crime statistics from the Ottawa Police Service’s community safety data portal reveal notable reductions in various categories of crime. From July 2024 to June 2025, assaults in the ByWard Market fell by 7.8% compared to the previous year. Additionally, robbery charges dropped from 53 to 37, reflecting a 30% decline. Break and enter charges also decreased significantly, from 127 to 80, marking a 37% reduction.

Despite these positive trends, some community members remain concerned. Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stephanie Plante cautioned against interpreting the statistics as a complete improvement. “That’s absolutely not what I’m seeing in my inbox,” she stated. Plante highlighted feedback from local residents and workers who report feeling increased fear and have opted to hire private security due to concerns about response times.

Stubbs acknowledged the mixed sentiment, stating, “There are certainly some signs of positive trends that we like and there are others we want to jump on as well.” He emphasized the need for a sustained police presence in the ByWard Market, particularly in areas known for social disorder and open drug use.

The policing hub is part of the Ottawa Police Service’s community outreach response and engagement (CORE) strategy, initiated in May 2024. This initiative aims to address the underlying causes of low-level crime while providing essential support to vulnerable populations. Stubbs highlighted the importance of collaboration among community service providers to ensure that individuals in need receive assistance and guidance.

The CORE strategy has already made strides, with 35 referrals provided to individuals requiring support. “The idea is that everybody around that table should know most of the people that are in the vulnerable population in that area,” Stubbs explained. “The plan is to try to get that person on a positive path.”

Despite the positive outcomes associated with the new policing strategies, the overall crime rate in Ottawa rose by approximately 4% in 2024. This increase was largely driven by non-violent offenses, while the crime severity index also saw a 2% rise from 2023 to 2024.

As the situation in the ByWard Market continues to evolve, the Ottawa Police Service remains committed to ensuring public safety and addressing community concerns. Stubbs concluded, “It is important that it is an area that people feel safe in. We realize that, and that is why we’re putting in the effort.”

For ongoing updates on crime rates and community safety in the ByWard Market, residents are encouraged to stay informed through local news outlets and community bulletins.