ByWard Market merchants disappointed with new police centre's location

Some ByWard Market store owners say they're frustrated with a police board decisionto set up a new "neighbourhood operations centre" in the Rideau Centre, citing concerns about its ability to address ongoing safety issues in the area.

On Monday, the Ottawa Police Services Board unanimously approved plans fora nearly 3,000-square-foot storefrontinside the mall,across from the Rideau light rail station.

The board agreed toa five-year lease with CF Rideau Centre starting Feb. 15, 2024.

A report presented before the board said thecentre, a city-led initiative,would give neighbourhood police officers a space to meet and collaborate withcommunity groups.

"We're shocked about where the location is going to be," said Phil mond, owner of theGordon Harrison Canadian Landscape Gallery at Sussex Drive and Clarence Street.

"It's gonna push everyone else in the ByWard Market and we're going to be left alone one more time."

mondsaidmany of his clients repeatedly tell him they feel unsafe walking in themarket causing him to worry his business and others might be seriously impacted if safety goesunaddressed.

It's a concern mondsaidhe shares with at least 25 other merchants in the areawhocame together to write a letter to the mayor. CBC News received a copy of the letter.

"Retailers were hoping that the centre would be located near the Ottawa [sign]on York Street,"the letter reads.

"They were also hoping that therewould be police officers on foot walking the ByWardMarketnot being physically located inside a center, but having a strong presence, and addressing the situation in the ByWard market as they occur."

The letter said a comprehensive approach toaddressing homelessness, mental health issuesand drugs in the area is lacking.

Merchants say they were not consulted

mondsaid merchants such as himself have been left with more questions than answers as tothe role of the neighbourhood operations centre. Store owners have alsoreceived no communication or clarity from the city, he added.

Certain services are much-needed in the neighbourhood, he said, and hehopesthecentre will provide them.

He added that several businesses in the area have experienced an increasing number ofthefts and break-ins.

"We need more video cameras at major intersections. We need this place to be lit at night,"mond said.

"We need people to be here, to talk to people if they encounter a problem with someone.We need experts to tell us how to deal with those situations, because we certainly don't have the expertise to deal with that."

Carmen Montemurro, a receptionist at Silver Fox Barbershop, agreed.She said shewishes there had been a consultation process with store ownersbefore the location for the centre was decided.

"The Rideau Centre [location] is not going to help us at all,"Montemurro said.

The purpose of the neighbourhood operations centre might have been better served if it hadbeen set upnear York or Clarence streets,she said, adding she remainshopefulthe city and the police board will change their minds.

Workmore important than location, mayor says

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe previously told CBC the centre is not a police station, but a place where officers would be available.

Sutcliffe campaigned on a promise to increase the police presence in the ByWard Market.

On Wednesday, Sutcliffe told CBC he's received feedback from some merchants in the area who say they're glad to see the progress. He acknowledged, however, that"some people may not feel it's the ideal location."

"To me,it's not about what happens in the office. It's the fact that there will be police officers available from that location who will be able to work in the ByWard Market," Sutcliffe said.

"The location of the office is less important than the activities on the ground,and the work that they will be able to do in that community."