Ottawa Police Service Programs to Help Businesses
Our Barrhaven Business Improvement Area Executive Director, Andrea Steenbakkers, had the opportunity to join BIA colleagues from across the city at an all-members meeting hosted by the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas. BIA leaders heard from the Ottawa Police Service on their business crime prevention tools, the rollout of their new district policing model, and important updates as we continue to support safe, welcoming commercial districts.
Building a Safer Barrhaven: Simple Steps That Make a Big Impact
Safety continues to be a top priority for Barrhaven businesses, and while advocacy for increased police presence is important, there are also practical tools available right now that can make a real difference.
The Ottawa Police Service offers three key programs that every business and property owner should be aware of:
Agent Status
This program gives police the authority to act on your behalf under the Trespass to Property Act, allowing them to remove unwanted individuals and conduct proactive patrols on your property. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve response times and deter repeat issues.
CAMSafe
If you have security cameras, this program allows you to register them with the police. When an incident occurs nearby, officers can contact you to request footage, helping solve crimes faster while maintaining your full privacy and control.
CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
This program focuses on simple improvements like lighting, visibility, and layout to make your property less vulnerable to crime. It’s a practical, prevention-focused approach that works. Contact Ottawa Police for more information.
These programs are most effective when businesses participate together. The more properties involved, the stronger the impact across our commercial areas.
Just as important: report all incidents, no matter how small. This data helps police identify patterns, allocate resources, and support stronger enforcement.
How to Take Action
- Talk to your landlord about Agent Status
- Register your cameras with CAMSafe
- Review your property through a CPTED lens (it’s free!)
- Report ALL incidents at ottawapolice.ca
A safer Barrhaven is a shared effort, and every business can play a role.
