Guns and Gangs

Please help us keep neighbourhoods safe.

We value the information we receive from area residents concerned about the health of their communities. Your tips help us close cases and get violence out of neighbourhoods.

If you witness drug or gang activity in your community, there are a few ways you can let us know.

Speak to someone in our Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300
Report online
Report anonymously to Crime Stoppers

One of the top priorities for the OPS is effectively dealing with street-level violence in the city.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is one of 21 partner agencies that worked to develop Ottawa's Street Violence and Gang Strategy (OSVGS). This plan includes a four-pillar approach to resolving issues related to gang activity.

You have a right to feel safe in your community. You can review the technical report on partner agency Crime Prevention Ottawa's website, which includes a comprehensive analysis of data collected during multiple community and at-risk youth consultations and research initiatives.

The OPS has aligned its internal strategic approach with the four key pillars outlined in the OSVGS:

Neighbourhood Cohesion: Build resilient children, families and communities through positive relationships in neighbourhoods affected by street-level violence.
Prevention: Take inclusive and preventative approaches through social development, situational measures, education, awareness and community policing.
Intervention: Identify intervention opportunities for children, youth and adults, including those at-risk, on the edge of joining a gang, or looking to leave gang life.
Enforcement and Suppression: Conduct targeted, sustained and effective enforcement.

We have coordinated and implemented proactive measures within multiple sections of the OPS, including Criminal Investigations, Frontline Operations, Ottawa Police Command Centre, Neighbourhood Resource Teams, Community Police officers, Traffic Services, and our Tactical and Canine Units. This coordination ensures that all officers engaged in reducing street-level violence have the same protocols and mandates to counter these activities we see in our communities effectively.

Resources

Youth Ottawa is a not-for-profit organization specializing in youth leadership and mentoring initiatives.
Christie Lake Kids serves economically disadvantaged children and youth by providing recreation and skill-building programs at no cost and with all barriers to participation removed.
Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa offers a range of opportunities and activities to youth in a safe, supportive atmosphere.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa pairs children with inspiring mentors who act as friends and role models.
Kids Help Phone provides youth with toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling across the country.

What parents can do to assist in preventing gang activity

Spend quality time with your child and get involved in their education
Be a positive role model and set the right example
Know your child's friends and their families
Teach your child how to cope with peer pressure
Help your child develop good conflict/resolution skills
Encourage your child to participate in positive after-school activities with adult supervision (e.g. organized sports, youth groups)
Challenge your children's whereabouts
Set expectations
Monitor social media accounts

Signs that your child may be involved in gang activity

Suddenly performs poorly in school
Suddenly argumentative with parents and teachers
Show signs of tobacco, alcohol or drug use
Changes circle of friends and desires too much privacy
Carries a weapon or conceals personal items
Makes impulsive, excessive purchases (clothes, jewelry, car)
Has large sums of money from an unexplained source
Uses a gang's specific colours, emblems or hand signals
Has had negative interactions with police
Engages in vandalism or delinquent behaviour