Ottawa police deploy ‘surge’ in response to ongoing protest

Ottawa police are deploying a “surge” of about 150 extra police officers to areas of the city most affected by a protest against COVID-19 mandates that has been going on for days.

The move comes ahead of the expected arrival of more protesters in the nation’s capital this weekend, as demonstrators have brought the city to a standstill over the past week.

The patrolling officers will be uniformed and non-uniformed, and will be focused on dealing with mischief, hate, harassment, threats, and other intimidating behaviours, Police Chief Peter Sloly says.

In addition to enforcement to restore public safety, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) says the surge in officers will also increase investigation enforcement and charges for all criminal acts related to hate, harassment, assault (including spitting), intimidation and mischief.

On Friday, the OPS said it has a contain strategy that will help restore order and prevent further unlawful activity.

“In connection with ongoing demonstrations, Ottawa’s downtown residents and businesses continue to be severely impacted by unlawful acts, including harassment, mischief, hate crimes, and noise violations,” OPS said. “We know that additional demonstrators are coming, and we are significantly increasing our policing resources to respond.”

Expanding perimeters

In addition to more officers, the OPS says it and the city will use concrete and heavy equipment barricades to create no-access roadways throughout the downtown core, with a map expected to outline affected areas.

Police say protester vehicles will be directed to designated parking zones outside of the downtown core.

The OPS notes illegal parking by demonstrators will result in by-law enforcement, removal, and impound. If necessary, interprovincial bridges, highway off ramps, and/or roads will also be closed.

In addition to the surge in officers and other contain strategies, the OPS stressed national, provincial, and local intelligence agencies have increased efforts to identify and target protesters who are funding, supporting, and enabling unlawful and harmful activity.

“Investigative evidence-gathering teams are collecting financial, digital, vehicle registration, driver identification, insurance status, and other related evidence that will be used in criminal prosecutions. Every unlawful act, including traffic violations, will be fully pursued regardless of origin.”

The additional plans from the OPS come after the RCMP announced it would provide additional officers to the City of Ottawa to help with protest demand.

Late Thursday, federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the RCMP had approved Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson’s request, which is in addition to the RCMp resources already deployed since the arrival of the convoy last weekend.

Mendicino said the convoy has caused significant disruptions to local residents including vandalism, harassment, expressions of hate and violence, as well as the ongoing obstruction of many services.

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The protesters arrived in the nation’s capital on Friday, Jan. 28, as part of a protest that was initially touted as a trucker convoy.

However, after many truckers left B.C. for the cross-country drive, many others joined in along the route.

When the convoy arrived in Ottawa, the protests shifted from one against just cross-border vaccine mandates for truckers to one against all COVID-19 mandates — provincial and federal.

The multi-day protest has drawn much criticism from many people, as some demonstrators turned to inappropriate and sometimes violent behaviour.

Terry Fox monument defaced during vaccine mandate protest Jan. 29 2022 (Courtesy @texxto)

Despite questions about whether the army would be called in to support Ottawa’s resources, on Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was not entertaining the idea of deploying the military to clear protesters out.

Trudeau said the priority for the federal government is being there for the citizens of Ottawa through the protest, adding military options being discussed by Ottawa police were “not in the cards right now.”

However, he did not entirely ruling out the option, noting the federal government will stand ready to respond to help the City of Ottawa or the province of Ontario with any formal requests.