Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jun 2012 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2012 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 Author: Charles Bordeleau Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor THE CHIEF SPEAKS Contrary to Ron Corbett's column "Market clean-up effort futile", June 25, the Ottawa Police Service is strongly aware of the complex nature of addictions and its social drivers and the continuing need for a community response to drugs and addiction in Ottawa. Enforcement measures against street-level drug dealing can provide relief not only to local residents and businesses but also to addicts, especially those who are accessing addiction services. We know that enforcement measures are only part of the solution to the problems affecting areas of the downtown core. Whether it is through our partnerships with Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, the Ottawa Drug Court, or our specialized Street Crime, Guns and Gangs or Mental Health units, our service is working every day to bring forward new approaches to issues of social disorder related to substance abuse. The front-line officers who patrol these areas are seeking to find solutions to problems they see every day. That means continuing to foster strong and productive partnerships with local businesses and BIAs, residents, shelters, the City of Ottawa and other community agencies and groups. Enforcement projects like Firecracker will always be a part of the solution, but only a part. The true solution to these complex problems will only come by working together. Mr. Corbett's surprising words about who gives a "damn" deserve a response. I can tell you that the community, the residents, the businesses and the Ottawa Police, including me as Chief, do care and we are committed to working together to make the Byward Market and Downtown Rideau Street areas safer and more enjoyable for all. I hope that you will continue to focus attention and support for the efforts to combat homelessness and to assist people in our community to get off drugs. Chief Charles Bordeleau Ottawa (We support these efforts various ways, including constructive criticism) - --- MAP posted-by: Matt