REPORT RAPPORT

DATE:	24 June 2013
TO/DEST:	Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP:	Chief of Police, Ottawa Police Service
SUBJECT/OBJET:	OTTAWA GANG STRATEGY - A ROADMAP FOR ACTION 2013-2016

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board receive this report for information.

BACKGROUND

Crime Prevention Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS), together with their partners, have created a comprehensive, community-based approach to taking action on gangs in Ottawa.  The Ottawa Gang Strategy: A Roadmap for Action 2013-16 is the result of efforts that began in 2006 to address the gangs issue. The strategy emerged from the fall 2012 Public Forum and Leadership Symposium, Taking Action Together: Addressing Gangs in Our City. Co-hosted by CPO, Ottawa Police Service, Youth Services Bureau and Ottawa Community Housing, it attracted 350 participants.

DISCUSSION

The gang strategy recommends the following actions:

Neighbourhood Cohesion

· Develop and implement the Community Leadership Network for Families to increase understanding between immigrant communities and the Canadian justice system.

· Develop a post-incident neighbourhood support protocol to build trust and reduce the negative impact of major incidents.

Prevention

· Develop a joint agreement on early identification to flag risk of gang involvement and create an approach for sharing information.

· Build on the Children Aid’s Society’s EBBS High Risk Youth Initiative to implement a pilot project on family-based case coordination.

· Host shared training for service agencies and community-based organizations to promote relationship building, information-sharing and cost-savings.

Intervention

· Map provincial gang assets in Ottawa (as one of four regions in Ontario) to promote existing services and resources.

· Engage criminal justice and education stakeholders in discussions about exit strategies during incarceration and after release to reduce the likelihood of returning to gang life.

Enforcement/Suppression

· Ottawa Police Service Gangs and Guns Unit to maintain targeted, sustained and effective enforcement.

The full report is attached to this report as Annex A, Annexe A.

CONSULTATION

The strategy emerged from the fall 2012 Public Forum and Leadership Symposium, Taking Action Together: Addressing Gangs in Our City.  Co-hosted by CPO, Ottawa Police Service, Youth Services Bureau and Ottawa Community Housing, it attracted 350 participants.

CONCLUSION

The Ottawa Gang Strategy is a three year project.  The issue of gangs in Ottawa is a priority for the OPS. As a service we continue to work with our partners on comprehensive solutions that address all the aspects of our efforts against gangs.

(Original signed by)

Charles Bordeleau

Chief of Police

Responsible for Report:  Inspector John Medeiros