Bus station blitz leads to 91 charges
Blair added to scheme after recent robberies and sexual assaults
A Saturday night blitz by Ottawa police and OC Transpo special constables led to 91 charges for offences ranging from failing to pay bus fares to possessing open alcohol containers in public.
The “community safety project” involved uniformed officers stop- ping people at Blair, Billings Bridge and Hurdman transit stations. Officers took a “zero-tolerance approach” to offenders, police said.
“We take the safety and security of our transportation networks very seriously and this project was aimed at reinforcing our commitment to hold violators accountable,” acting Insp. Michael Laviolette said in a release.
Police originally planned to monitor two stations, but decided to include Blair after a couple of robberies at or near the station, Laviolette said.
More assaults have been reported this year near the Billings Bridge and Blair stations than at any other bus stops throughout the city, according to OC Transpo data.
Sexual assaults at or near Blair Station this year raised concerns about safety at the bus stop. In October, a man attacked a 29-year-old woman after following her as she exited the station. And in August, a 15-year-old girl was attacked by four men who approached her at the station, then took her to a secluded spot nearby.
Forty-nine of Saturday’s charges were for failure to produce proof of fare payment. Another 36 people were charged with trespassing; they included people found to be riding the buses despite being banned from OC Transpo, as well as people who were asked to leave but didn’t.
Three charges were for panhandling and another three were for possession of open alcohol containers.
Police also seized small amounts of alcohol and marijuana.
Police said these community safety projects are undertaken a few times a year.