River Ward City Councillor Maria Mcrae's Report to
Hunt Club Community Organization
5 September 2006

Annual River Ward Family Fun Day and B.B.Q.

It is my pleasure to all Hunt Club residents to my Annual River Ward Family Fun Day and B.B.Q. at Mooney's Bay Park.

Date: Monday, September 18, 2006
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Mooney's Bay Park, 2960 Riverside Drive

As they did last year, Outback Steakhouse, located at Bank Street and Hunt Club Road, has stepped up to the plate and will generously provide the food and refreshments for this charitable event. The food and drinks will be available at a nominal cost, on a first come-first served basis, as quantities permit. Thanks to the generous support of those who attended last year, we raised more than $2000.00 in just two hours for this fundraising event in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. All monies raised will benefit programs and services in River Ward.

Ottawa Firefighters will be there with a pumper truck and the Fire Safety House. Police Officers and Paramedics will be on hand to display their equipment. DJ Doc Music & Lighting will provide entertainment. Face painting will be made available by Rogers Video located in the Hunt Club Centre Plaza on McCarthy Road. There will be activities for the children and door prizes.

Maria McRae's Autumn Tea for River Ward Seniors

I am pleased to invite all Hunt Club Seniors to my Annual Autumn Tea. The details are as follows:

Date: Friday, September 22, 2006
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre 3320 Paul Anka Drive (at McCarthy Road)

Ottawa's Singing Policeman, Dominic D'Arcy, will be providing the entertainment. All River Ward seniors are invited to join me for refreshments, snacks, door prizes, and entertainment. Please call my office at 613-580-2486 to reserve your free ticket(s).

Free C.P.R. Training and Tour of Ottawa Paramedic Service HQ

I am pleased to invite all Hunt Club residents to attend a free CPR and Automated External Defibrillator training offered by the Ottawa Paramedic Service on one of the following dates:

Dates: Saturday, September 16, 2006 (Register by Friday, September 15, 2006)
Saturday, September 23, 2006 (Register by Friday, September 22, 2006)
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Training; 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Tour
Location: Ottawa Paramedic Service H.Q.; 2465 Don Reid Drive

Space is limited and these popular sessions will fill up fast. Please contact my office at 613-580-2486 to register for one of these seminars. Note: You must register to participate!

Statistics show that the majority of heart attacks occur in the home and the application of CPR has saved many lives. The purpose of this course is to promote the chain of survival within the community and educate the public on the many skills Ottawa Paramedics provide every day. Off duty Paramedics who are qualified First Aid/CPR instructors and other health care professionals, including lifeguards, will train all those in attendance and certify them in CPR B (adult/child CPR and heart related issues).

I toured the new state-of-the-art City of Ottawa Paramedic Services Headquarters earlier this year. This facility, completed in December 2005, was built under a Public-Private Partnership (P3). Ottawa's Paramedic Service Headquarters is housed in a barrier-free, secure and disaster-resistant building. Paramedics are deployed from here and all paramedic training takes place here. The facility houses the Paramedic Command Centre where disaster services are coordinated as well as all the activities of the Ottawa Paramedic service team.

Community Safety and Crime Prevention

As many of you are aware, a tragic incident occurred in the Hunt Club community. I wish to assure Hunt Club residents that this does not mean that your community is not safe. I invited representatives from the Ottawa Police, City of Ottawa By-law Services, South Ottawa Neighbourhood Watch Association, the Hunt Club Centre Plaza Safety and Security Committee and the Hunt Club Riverside Recreation Association to attend the Hunt Club Community Organization Board meeting on September 5, 2006 to discuss safety in this area and to share information.

East Division Police have repeatedly told me and stated at public meetings that the Hunt Club area receives more attention from the Police than other neighbourhoods in East Division and that the reason for their high attendance is because my pro-active efforts in respect of community safety and crime prevention. I constantly call on them to address emerging issues or deal with a problem that has arisen, whether it's a problem of theft, vandalism, graffiti, traffic violations or other Police issues. My other efforts for community safety and crime prevention involve intervention programs and recreation programs for youth. Outreach to our youth is an important and effective crime prevention tool. As well, officers from our Community Police Centre are very active in the Hunt Club community, either on patrol or at a meeting where community safety and crime prevention is being discussed.

While the tragedy occurred in our neighbourhood, this does not mean that Hunt Club is not a safe community. There are problems in the neighbourhood, just like there are in other neighbourhoods throughout the City, and they are being addressed. As you know, community safety and crime prevention has been at the top of my priority list for the past three years, and I have organized public meetings and met countless times with the Police to tackle the issues. I continue to work with the Police, By-law Services, Corporate Security, Neighbourhood Watch, and with the residents and businesses in the community, and I believe that together we are making a difference.

Annual Twyford-Centralla Neighbhourhood Watch Sign-Up and B.B.Q.

I am pleased to report that this annual event, which took place on August 21, 2006, was another success with new families signing up for the Twyford-Centralla Neighbourhood Watch Program. I am grateful to Enbridge Gas for returning this year to barbeque hot dogs and hamburgers, and for bringing along the button-making machine. Thank you also to the Watch Co-ordinating Team, City of Ottawa Bylaw Services, and Ottawa Police Services. Firefighters from Station No. 33 on McCarthy Road also dropped by with a pumper truck and a ladder truck, much to the delight of the children.

This year, I also invited Hydro Ottawa and their Conservation Van to this event. The conservation team distributed information on electricity conservation through the packages that they handed out. This was a popular addition and staff were kept busy answering questions and providing information on how to reduce energy consumption and about electricity conservation initiatives. I received many positive comments from the gathering for bringing the Conservation Van to this event.

Another special guest was Fred McLennan, President of the Hunt Club Community Organization, whom I was pleased to welcome and introduce to the local residents.

Another Neighbourhood Watch Coming to Hunt Club

I am currently working to establish a new Neighbourhood Watch Program in Hunt Club. I will report further on this initiative.

Hunt Club Centre Plaza Safety and Security Committee

This business committee, which I initiated following a Town Hall Meeting on Community Safety and Crime Prevention in November 2004 has met regularly since to deal with problems of theft, vandalism and trespassing, and to share information regarding issues at the Hunt Club Centre Plaza.

I am pleased to report that at our recent meeting on August 24, 2006, Quickie Convenience Stores, which owns the property adjacent to the Hunt Club Centre Plaza has joined the committee and will be working in partnership with us on this valuable community partnership initiative.

Fireside Chats

I remain committed to being accessible, accountable and approachable. Please join me for a personal chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Carleton Heights Community Centre 1665 Apeldoorn Avenue

Date: Friday, September 29, 2006
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Mooney's Bay Bistro Riverside Mall, 731 Ridgewood Avenue

Project Race

In mid-June, a project to combat street racing was launched in our community. This project included police officers from East Division Traffic, Neighborhood Officers, Community Police Center Officers, the Traffic Escort Unit, the Air Support Unit and the O.P.P. I was in attendance and spent the evening with our police officers on the road and on site.

In total, 158 vehicles were stopped and 146 charges were laid.

Plante Drive

In addition to my requesting enforcement by the Ottawa Police Service of the 50km/h speed limit on Plante Drive, I asked Traffic and Parking Operations staff to investigate the potential for "Stop" Signs at the following "Yield" controlled intersections.

Plante Drive & Impala Crescent North
Plante Drive & Impala Crescent South
Plante Drive & Condor Drive
Plante Drive & Avocado Street
Plante Drive & Mina Lane
Plante Drive & Bourbon Street
Plante Drive & Sparrow Way
Plante Drive & Waxwing Drive
Plante Drive & Pattermead Crescent West

Traffic Specialists carried out a review of Plante Drive and provided the following report:

"Plante Drive is a minor collector roadway and all of the roadways named above are all local residential roadways and operate with a speed limit of 50 km/h. All are urban two-lane undivided roadways with forming T-intersections with Plante Drive and are controlled by "Yield" signs. Minor roadway traffic control criteria used by the Department state that the following measures are appropriate for given safe approach speeds:

"Stop" sign - 0 to 15 km/h.
"Yield" sign - 15 to 25 km/h.
No control measures - 25 km/h or greater.
Sight Distances

Each safe approach speed corresponds to a specific sight distance. As such, a site investigation was undertaken to determine the available sight lines, measured from the edge of the through roadway. In all cases, the sight distances were either:

Between 15m and 25m from 15m to 25m back from the edge of the through roadway or over 25m from more than 25m back from the edge of Plante Drive. These values correspond to safe approach speeds of 15 km/h to 25 km/h and 25 km/h or greater, respectively.

Collision data between January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2006 indicates that no collisions have taken place at any of these four locations.

With these factors in mind, the Department recommends maintaining all existing "Yield" signs as they are appropriate traffic control measures given the available sight distances and collision histories."

New Signage Coming to the Airport Parkway

To address ongoing problems with littering on this gateway to the city, I have personally asked the Director of Surface Operations to take steps to have two large "No Littering" signs installed along the Airport Parking.

Proposed Development at 3860 Riverside Drive

The proposed conceptual site plan provides for a three-phased office development with the grouping of three linked buildings, each of five storeys, oriented to the Riverside Drive frontage of the property. Phase I of the development concept includes 16,780 square metres of office space and surface parking for about 770 vehicles. Phase II includes 13,935 square metres of office space and garage parking for about 1200 vehicles. Phase III includes 23,225 square metres of office space and surface parking for about 350 vehicles. Vehicular access is proposed via one signalized intersection along Riverside Drive just north of the proposed office buildings. A landscaped corridor links the office buildings to a pavilion at the edge of the river corridor lands. A system of landscaped pathways, parking lot islands, terraces and perimeter spaces is suggested on the landscape concept plan.

Site plan control deals with the design and layout of a development proposal including such issues as circulation and parking design, building arrangement, provision of water and sewer systems, and landscape design. The intensity of the development including such aspects as the size and height of buildings, minimum parking requirements, and the permitted uses is already established by the zoning by-law and is not subject to site plan control review.

I would appreciate receiving any comments you may have on this application as soon as possible. Please email me at Maria.McRae@ottawa.ca.

Queen Elizabeth Driveway Turn Restrictions

On August 23, 2006, City Council debated the Transportation report that recommended peak hour turn restrictions from Bronson Avenue to Findlay Avenue, which many residents opposed. The majority of Council did not agree with these restrictions and voted against the staff recommendation. However, the Ward Councillor has asked for a reconsideration of this proposal.

First Fall Cleaning the Capital Campaign

The first Fall Cleaning the Capital campaign kicks off this October. I invite you to sign up to give our city a clean sweep this fall. With your help, River Ward can be the cleanest ward in the City.

For the past 13 years, entire communities - including schools, neighbourhood organizations and associations, businesses, families, friends and individuals have taken up the Spring Cleaning the Capital challenge. This past spring, over 53,000 participants completed a record-high 750 cleanup projects. Let's build on this success and have a great Fall Cleaning the Capital!

It's easy to take part, all you have to do is select a cleanup location where litter has accumulated over the summer months. It can be a park, woodlot, ravine, shoreline, bus stop, pathway, schoolyard or any public property requiring tidying up. Large or small, all cleanup projects are welcome!

For the fall campaign, the city is concentrating on cleanup efforts along fence lines, naturalized areas, and in other open spaces with tall grass and other vegetation such as a ravine or a field. Other suggested projects include picking up litter from around drainage ditches and catch basins to prevent debris from entering our City's drainage system.

Once you've chosen your cleanup location, you can register online at ottawa.ca or by calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). The campaign runs from Sunday, October 1 to Tuesday, October 31. Registration began September 1, 2006 and continues until the last day of the campaign. Register on or before September 30, 2006 for your chance to win early-bird prizes.

While you are registering you will be asked if you need a cleanup starter kit. Kits are available upon request (while quantities last) and include disposable vinyl gloves, garbage bags, leaf-and-yard waste bags and tips to assist your cleanup project. For more information and to register, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1.

OC Transpo Security Awareness Campaign

This fall OC Transpo is launching phase two of the campaign, which was originally launched in August 2005. The "If you see something, say something" campaign is a public transit security awareness program designed to encourage OC Transpo riders to be more vigilant and to report anything suspicious. By engaging the public, we can increase the level of alertness by gaining the participation of thousands of people every day. Together, the public and transit employees can help maintain a safe and secure transit system.

This campaign was developed in response to the need for increased security in light of recent terrorist acts in other cities. In addition to information and training for employees, there was a need for the public to be aware and become involved. The transit rider can play a vital role by being alert to suspicious packages, persons and activities.

This year's public campaign consists of transit shelter posters and interior bus cards that feature a dog whispering in another dog's ear. The purpose is to encourage customers to report anything suspicious. The campaign last year featured three penguins, with one wearing brightly coloured shorts, which encouraged customers to look for anything suspicious.

The posters and bus cards will be accompanied by a brochure and information on OC Transpo's website, which gives customers tips on how to identify suspicious packages, persons or activities, and how to respond.

Transit Security

Communications & Emergency Response

Closed Circuit Television Cameras

Global Positioning Systems

  • GPS equipment is being installed on all buses and trains to aid in precise vehicle locating to assist with a fast response in emergency situations
  • 252 buses equipped to date, with entire fleet completed by spring 2007.

    Security Training & Practices

  • Threat, Risk Impact Analysis - applied to OC Transpo properties
  • 2006 training sessions on Terrorist Indicators and Bomb Threat Response
  • Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) teaches how station design and environment can enhance safety and security
  • Security audits of stations using CPTED principles in cooperation with Women's Initiatives for Safer Environments (WISE)
  • Participation in mock disaster exercises to test and improve transit emergency response
  • Managing Change in a Diverse Community training
  • "Coach's Corner" - development of protocols and training for TLEO and Transit Supervisors regarding response to incidents
  • Application to Ottawa Police Services for "Special Constable Status" for TLEOs to expand their authority.

    Security on Patrol

  • High visibility "Walk & Ride" teams provide a security presence in buses, trains and stations day and night
  • 34 Transit Law Enforcement Officers (TLEOs) patrol on foot and in mobile units
  • TLEOs enforce transit by-laws, ticket offenders, respond to emergencies and make arrests
  • Transit Security controllers monitor activity via CCTV and coordinate response to incidents and emergencies
  • Special joint partnerships with Ottawa Police Services are established, as needed, to combat specific problems, such as Project Sweep at South Keys, April 2003
  • Adopt-A-Station: TLEOs are responsible for one station that they "adopt" and regularly monitor and report on graffiti, vandalism, lighting, etc.

    Joint Efforts

  • Partnership with Ottawa Police for emergency preparedness, special events, crime prevention week, and other security initiatives
  • Planning and communication with emergency responders such as Police, Fire and Ambulance to coordinate emergency response
  • Regular communications with STO (Société de transport d l'Outaouais), CUTA (Canadian Urban Transit Association) and other transit agencies regarding joint efforts and best practices.
  • Transit Security and Transit Operations staff practice together during Emergency Exercises. Such exercises are used to test and train staff on the correct procedures to use for various transit-related emergency situations.

    Community Outreach

    Transitway & O-Train Station Safety Features

    Transecure

    Transecure Night Stop

    Selected Traffic Enforcement Program

    As you know, in 2003, the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Police Service strengthened their commitment to road safety by initiating the Integrated Road Safety Program. The Program's goal is to reduce traffic fatalities or serious injuries by 30% by the year 2010. In 2004, as part of the strategy, a campaign-based Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) was initiated where, on a monthly basis, two initiatives are launched that target specific traffic offences.

    In June 2006, the traffic safety targets were: improper use of Reserved Transit Lanes and impaired driving. This initiative resulted in 34 by-law charges of failing to use Reserved Transit Lanes properly and 63 people charged criminally of impaired driving. The R.I.D.E. checkpoint that the Integrated Road Safety Program sponsored in partnership with MADD and the Ottawa Alliance on Impaired Driving, the night of June 23rd, resulted in approximately 350 drivers checked, one person charged with impaired driving and four people receiving 12-hour license suspensions.

    In July, the Integrated Road Safety Program focussed on:
    1. Pedestrian safety, and
    2. Unsafe lane changing. On Ottawa roads in 2005, 339 pedestrians were injured in traffic collisions, 37 of which were life-threatening injuries, and five pedestrians were killed (one less than in 2004). Also shockingly, in 2005, 910 reportable collisions occurred on Ottawa roads due to drivers changing lanes unsafely. These collisions resulted in 114 injuries, three of them serious, and two deaths.

    Collision data and pedestrian volumes were used to identify four signalized intersections inside the central core and three outside the downtown area where it is felt that our Pedestrian Safety Campaign would be particularly beneficial. The campaign utilizes both education and enforcement. To better understand how pedestrian signals operate, Police and City staff provide guidance as appropriate and, in some cases, interested parties are provided an information pamphlet titled "A Helping Hand For Pedestrians". The enforcement component focuses on both pedestrian violations and motorists violating pedestrian rights.

    In July 2006, the traffic safety targets were: pedestrian safety and unsafe lane changing. This initiative resulted in 49 pedestrian safety-related charges (includes both pedestrian and motorist offences such as drivers failing to yield to pedestrians, pedestrians disobeying the "Don't Walk" signal and pedestrians failing to walk on the roadway shoulder facing oncoming traffic if there is no sidewalk) and 70 charges of changing lanes unsafely. The Pedestrian Safety Campaign included the handing out of hundreds of information pamphlets titled "A Helping Hand for Pedestrians", a resource that helps to educate on the operation of pedestrian traffic signals.

    In August, the Integrated Road Safety Program focussed on:
    1. Sidewalk cycling, and
    2. Stop sign violations.

    In Ottawa, over the past five years, 158 people were injured as a result of bicycles on sidewalks crashing into pedestrians or other vehicles. Of these 158 injuries, 66 required treatment at hospital emergency facilities and three were life-threatening. Like last month's Pedestrian Safety Campaign, this month's Sidewalk Cycling Campaign includes both education and enforcement. While the Ottawa Police enforce sidewalk cycling regulations at particularly problematic locations, avid cyclists explain to offenders the reasons why sidewalk cycling is dangerous to both pedestrians and cyclists and make available information on cycling safety courses offered in the city.

    In 2005 alone, 688 reportable collisions occurred on Ottawa roads as a result of drivers failing to stop for stop signs. These collisions resulted in 238 injuries, 11 of them long-term, and one death.

    Ottawa residents have identified the issue of traffic safety as a top priority. The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Police Service are committed to using available resources to further reduce aggressive driving and achieve reductions in traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

    The September 2006 STEP is focussing on:
    1. Failing to stop for school buses, and
    2. Red light running.

    Helping Seniors Drive Safely Information Sessions

    "Shifting Gears", two free, 3-hour information sessions for senior motorists, will be taking place in Ottawa on September 29, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive. Seniors will learn facts about testing requirements for mature drivers, update their knowledge on the rules of the road, discover how medications and aging can affect driving ability and learn approaches to "giving up the keys". Free tickets are available at CAA Travel Centres. In our area, the Centre is located at TownGate Shopping Centre, 2446 Bank Street, telephone 613-636-9696. You may also register by calling 613-820-1890. Seating is limited, so register early.

    Memorial to Honour Ottawa's Fallen Firefighters

    City Council approved a proposal to build a permanent memorial to honour Ottawa's fallen firefighters. The Ottawa Firefighters Memorial will provide a permanent reminder of the valuable contributions made every day by Ottawa firefighters in the line of duty. It will be located on the northeast corner of Festival Plaza outside City Hall at 110 Laurier Avenue West.

    Artist Louise Carota's concept features statues of two larger-than-life firefighters cast in metal. One firefighter carries a victim, while the other sprays real water from their metal fire hose. The water hits a glass and stainless steel structure and cascades down the other side, flowing over the words "Always Loved - Never Forgotten" engraved into a wall separating upper and lower reflecting pools of water. The names of Ottawa's fallen firefighters will be engraved in granite plaques attached to a retaining wall. Visitors will be able to sit on benches to contemplate the Memorial and cross an enclosed bridge to view plaques, photos and other artwork depicting the contributions of Ottawa's firefighters.

    The Ottawa Firefighters Community Foundation will raise the necessary funds to cover all costs associated with the Memorial. Once the monument is in place, the yearly Ottawa Firefighters March and Memorial Service will be centered around it. The Foundation hopes to have the money raised and the Memorial built within a year.