CRACK TRIPS UP DOWNTOWN

Street Ambassadors Find Drugs Increasing Troublesome Encounters In
Byward Market

Need more proof that Ottawa's downtown core has a growing crack
problem? The Byward Market Street Ambassadors have the numbers.

According to a report released this week, the program -- launched in
1997 to help police reduce aggressive behaviour in the Market -- made
895 negative interventions in 2006, tripling the numbers from the
previous year's data.

"It's no secret that crack has become a growing issue in the city.
It's becoming very prevalent," said Jasna Jennings, executive director
of the Byward Market Business Improvement Area.

While the numbers may appear alarming, most of the negative behaviour
was stemming from a small group of repeat offenders.

"Those increases can be attributed to three very problematic
individuals," said Jennings.

The ambassador program was designed to promote the area as a safe
environment for tourists and residents alike. Wearing bright yellow
jerseys, the student patrol will take to Market streets on a full-time
basis starting May 4.

Safe Environment

The city hires university students enrolled in criminology or social
work programs to walk the streets in pairs, dishing out helpful advice
to tourists on one hand, and helping to crack down on aggressive
behaviour on the other.

According to the report, 85% of the reported cases were positive, with
ambassadors helping tourists with directions, parking and even
administering first aid.

"The community response has been great from area business owners and
residents," said Jennings. "And for police, the ambassadors really are
the eyes and ears on the street."

Police were called in on only 32 cases last year, which takes a
significant load off the force's shoulders, according to Sgt. Paul
Johnston of the Ottawa Police Service's Central East division.

Time To 'Move Along'

"Police resources can be better spent on other things," said Jennings.
"The ambassadors can get a call from a business owner, they can come
down and say, "It's time to 'move along' to someone sleeping in the
doorway. If the person needs help, they are trained in first aid, and
can also contact the appropriate outreach program."

The street ambassadors will patrol the Market until 6 p.m. through the
week, and until 8 p.m. on weekends. Despite the success of the
program, though, there are no plans to expand the patrols into the
late-night hours.

"They are not police," said Jennings. "So there's a bit of a safety
and security factor at night where alcohol is involved. They're not
out there to break up fights or stop people from driving under the
influence."