Strategic Pillars Part 2: Public Experience

PART 2 in a series highlighting our 2025-2030 strategic pillars: Public Experience

In late 2024, the Barrhaven BIA adopted a new Strategic Plan for 2025-2030. Over the coming weeks we will be highlighting the 5 strategic pillars that will guide our work over the next 5 years.

Enhancing Safety and Community Engagement in Barrhaven: New Initiatives You Should Know About

Community safety and engagement are at the heart of Barrhaven’s latest strategic efforts. With new programs like CAMSafe, the Community Youth Unit, and Agent Status, as well as a renewed focus on public experience, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the Barrhaven Business Improvement Area (BBIA) are working together to create a cleaner, safer, and more connected community.

Public Experience & Beautification: BBIA’s Strategic Vision for 2025-2030

The BBIA is committed to making Barrhaven a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming community. The 2025 strategic plan includes:

✅ Graffiti Removal Program – Commercial property owners can report graffiti via 311, with city teams ensuring quick removal.
✅ Community Engagement – Annual surveys will assess business and property owner feedback.
✅ Beautification & Placemaking – Expanding public art, signage, and holiday light displays.
✅ Streetscape Improvements – Improving signage, tree planting along Strandherd, and enhancing public spaces.

Stronger Together: Supporting Local Social Services

Barrhaven is home to numerous social organizations dedicated to assisting residents in need:

🥫 Barrhaven Food Cupboard – Provides emergency food assistance to families.
🤝 Nepean, Rideau & Osgoode Community Resource Centre (NROCRC) – Offers mental health, family, and employment support services.
🩺 Ottawa Public Health – Provides immunization clinics, health promotion, and mental health resources.
🛌 The Salvation Army – Offers outreach and housing services for those experiencing homelessness. Please contact them if you are concerned about someone-

CAMSafe: A Modern Take on Neighborhood Watch

The CAMSafe Program is an innovative way to enhance public safety while protecting privacy. This voluntary registry allows residents and businesses to share contact details and indicate their willingness to provide recorded security footage to police when necessary. Unlike traditional surveillance programs, CAMSafe ensures full control remains with the registrant—officers do not have access to live feeds.

When a crime occurs, law enforcement can check CAMSafe for registered cameras in the area and request video footage that may assist in investigations. This initiative strengthens community-police collaboration and helps solve crimes more efficiently. Interested? Register your camera at camsafe.ca/register.  

Community Youth Unit: Supporting & Holding Youth Accountable

OPS has launched a Community Youth Unit to create partnerships between businesses, malls, and schools. The goal is to provide early intervention by identifying the root causes of youth offences and working proactively to prevent re-offending.

By engaging young individuals in positive development programs and community service, this initiative ensures that youth remain accountable while receiving the necessary support to succeed.

Agent Status Program: Protecting Your Property

For property owners dealing with trespassing or unwanted individuals, the Agent Status Program provides OPS officers with legal authority to act on your behalf. This allows officers to remove trespassers under the Trespass to Property Act without requiring owners to be present.

🏢 Who can register?
✔️ Commercial and residential property owners
✔️ Landlords and property managers

Upon registration, participants receive an official Agent Status sticker, notifying officers that they are authorized to enforce trespassing laws on the premises.

📩 To apply, fill out the form and email it to agentstatus@ottawapolice.ca.

These new programs and strategies mark a significant step forward in making Barrhaven a safer, cleaner, and more connected place to live and work. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or community leader, your participation can make a difference.

Let’s work together for a safer Barrhaven. Reach out to us today!