Road safety:
Stop Sign at Exit of Dempsey Community Centre
There was a request at the meeting to put a stop sign at the exit of the Dempsey Community Centre. This is considered a private exit, and the City does not install stop signs on their own property.
Elmvale Acres Mall:
RioCan
A new property manager just started at RioCan in late March. A lighting audit has been done, and the necessary lighting repairs will be done this spring, and that will be the focus for safety for now. Ottawa Police Services (Darren) has also connected with the new manager.
Elmvale Bus Station
Elmvale Station has been reviewed multiple times since 2022, including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and safety assessments undertaken with OC Transpo Safety and the Special Constable Unit. These reviews identified a number of safety-related recommendations, several of which align with the issues raised by the community, including lighting, emergency communications, and visibility. Since the original reviews:
- A night-time audit has been completed to confirm lighting performance, and requests have been submitted to address street lighting deficiencies
- Platform edge repairs and removal of unauthorized newspaper bins have been completed
- Minor maintenance issues (including the payphone cradle) have been referred to OC Transpo internal facilities maintenance
At this time, several key recommendations remain outstanding, including the installation of CCTV cameras, emergency phones and improvements to shelter lighting and condition. These items were not previously advanced due to funding constraints and uncertainty related to the timing of the adjacent Elmvale Mall redevelopment, which could result in future reconfiguration of the station.
A small amount of funding in 2026 was identified by OC Transpo to advance minor improvements at Elmvale Station. They are working to pursue shelter replacement; however, the type of shelter that can be installed is constrained by the narrow platform width and the retaining wall along the back side of the platform. These constraints also impact visibility and the ability to fully comply with all current station standards and guidelines. Despite these constraints, we remain hopeful that improvements will be made this year.
Community Safety:
Neighbourhood Watch
How To Get Involved – A useful outreach tool to promote the program, this pamphlet provides an introduction to the program.
Neighbour Card – Do your part and get to know your neighbour. Complete a Neighbour Card and keep it on hand
Your home, Your community… Keep it Safe! – Join Neighbourhood Watch Promotional Poster
Neighbourhood Watch Member Guide – Your guide to neighbourhood safety.
How to Get a Watch Going, and Keep it Going An Introductory Manual – This manual offers an introductory look at the Neighbourhood Watch program and is intended as a guide for anyone interested in coordinating a Neighbourhood Watch in the City of Ottawa.
Please use the sign up sheets below when signing up members to your new or existing watch.
Start an Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch:
Ottawa Community Housing (OCH)
My office is aware of a pathway that is often used by the Russell Heights community to get to some of the businesses along St. Laurent Boulevard. Given that this pathway is on private property, OCH and the City of Ottawa are looking into opportunities to create an alternative and “just as convenient” path. Work to redesign and clearly define the main entry and exit points leading to the Dempsey Community Centre and the Tim Hortons from the Russell Heights community is currently in progress.
Youth-Focused Initiatives in Ward 18
The City’s Community Safety and Well-Being Office (CSWBO) has supported a range of youth-focused initiatives, programs and partnerships that promote positive engagement and improve access to safe, structured opportunities for youth.
In Ward 18, CSWBO has supported youth through:
- $176K annually to 3 community houses (Blair Court, Confederation Court and Russell Heights Community House) for Sustainability Funding
- $296K annually for 3 years in 5 community organizations delivering youth services or programs
- $10K in 2025 for capital investments in the Dempsey Community Centre youth zone (equipment for gear and upgrades)
- 4,100+ youth interactions in ward 18 through the Neighbourhood Ambassador Program, surfacing local priorities, barriers, and aspirations.
- 37 youth currently participating in the Youth Futures program, including approximately 12 youth from the Russell Heights area. This program supports youth in building skills, exploring career pathways, and accessing mentorship and employment opportunities.
Additional supports available to youth include:
- Free recreation programming at Dempsey Community Centre, including daily youth drop-ins and sports activities that provide safe and structured engagement opportunities.
- Homework help and employment support through the Elmvale Acres Library.
- Invitation to the Youth Career Exploration Fair on April 30 at Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, focused on education, career, and employment pathways in partnership with Banff Avenue Community House
Youth engagement and system planning:
- In 2025, a co-designed youth engagement process funded through Public Safety Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund supported youth in identifying priorities and recommending solutions across education, recreation and culture, employment, and mental health
- In Ward 18 (including Russell Heights), this included youth recruitment and training, two in-person sessions, and a community consultation at Dempsey Community Centre—directly informing program and service recommendations.
- A Youth Social Development Action Plan will be developed in 2026 based off these consultations and in partnership with community agencies.
How to file complaints against Ottawa Police and OC Transpo Special Constables:
The formal process to make a complaint against an Ottawa Police Officer:
The legislation that governs policing in the province as of April 1st, 2024, the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) – formerly known as the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) – is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing public complaints about the misconduct of police officers.
More information about the role and mandate of LECA can be found here https://leca.ca/
If you wish to file a formal complaint with LECA, you may do so by filling out the complaint form available on LECA’s website. General Inquiries: leca@ontario.ca / phone: 1-877-411-4773
The formal process to make a complaint against an OC Transpo Special Constable:
Two types of formal complaints can be made against Special Constables:
- A complaint about the conduct of a Special Constable.
- A complaint about the policies or services of the Special Constable Unit (SCU)
Any member of the public who is directly affected by the conduct of a Special Constable or SCU services or policies can make a complaint.
Steps to file a complaint against a Special Constable can be found here: Special Constables | OC Transpo