Crime report shows increase in Rideau-Rockcliffe

Eleanor Dunn reviews latest local crime statistics

By Manor Park Chronicle October 3, 2023

The Ottawa Police Service has developed a crime map on its website. This map pinpoints specific areas in the city where crime is prevalent and indicates the type of crime. Image by Paul Barlow from Pixabay

If you think crime is on the increase in your neighborhood, you’re not wrong. The Ottawa Police Services (OPS) 2022 crime report shows an increase in Rideau-Rockcliffe.

The OPS released its annual crime report during the lazy, hazy days of summer, when citizens had more on their minds than a bunch of dry statistics.

Unfortunately, statistics tell the tale and for residents of Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward, it’s not a happy story. The crime rate in the ward in 2022 was the fourth highest among the city’s 23 wards, with Ottawa Centre leading the pack and Rideau-Vanier running a close second.

According to the OPS report, Rideau-Rockcliffe had 4,909 crimes per 100,000 population in 2022. These numbers reflect reported crimes. There are likely many unreported crimes that would bring the number even higher.

An outsider looking at Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward would probably be surprised at the numbers. It’s mainly residential and most residents probably consider themselves to be middle class. The ward encompasses these neighborhoods: Manor Park, New Edinburgh, Rockcliffe, Lindenlea, Carson Grove and Overbrook.

The Ottawa Police Service has developed a crime map on its website. This map pinpoints specific areas in the city where crime is prevalent and indicates the type of crime. Access to this information could help residents determine how to avoid being a victim.

Some Ottawa neighborhoods are clearly safer than others, and it’s not surprising that that those farthest away from the downtown core, such as Carleton/March, Barrhaven, rural Ottawa South, Orleans and Kanata have the lowest rates of crime per 100,000 of population.

Car thefts up nation-wide

The OPS crime trends report provides snapshots of all city wards. Across the city, there was an 18 percent increase in reported crimes and a six per cent increase in violent crimes, with the total crime rate in the city increasing by 16 per cent in 2022.

More people in Ottawa reported crimes in 2022, marking an increase of 19 percent.

Property-related offenses in the city increased by 26 percent.

There were 13 homicides and 107 crime guns were seized in 2022. Property-related offences include break and enter and car theft, and according to Statistics Canada which publishes crime statistics based on numbers received from police departments across Canada, car theft is up by 24 per cent nationwide.

Statistics Canada figures also show a 31 per cent increase in shoplifting across Canada so no one should be surprised that merchants have stepped up security measures in their stores.Individual householders, too, are taking precautions. Witness the proliferation of doorbell cameras and other CCTV (closed-circuit television) camera installations on private property.

Even the anti-car theft steering wheel “Club” is making a comeback.