Ottawa Police believe some of the same people are involved in multiple murders in our city.
In response to the spike in the number of homicides in Ottawa this year, Ottawa Police have created a special task force, looking into unsolved, gang-related homicides that appear to be related.
The task force is made up of Major Crime, Guns and Gangs, and Street Crime Unit investigators.
Superintendent Don Sweet with the Criminal Investigations Directorate says there’s no timeline for how long this task force will be at work.
“It really will depend on what the task force sees as progress and what they report back to me as far as how they’re doing with these investigations and how long it remains effective,” Sweet says. “It’s not a permanent thing because we do need to consider those sections that we’ve borrowed from, but I’m confident that I have other investigators that can fill any void or vacuum that has been caused by this.”
Sweet says the gang population in Ottawa is small, but a “large portion” of their unsolved murder cases this year are gang-related.
“It’s not surprising to see one person causing a ripple effect and multiple offenses, so we are definitely looking at some links and trying to confirm those suspicions,” he says.
The Task Force is specifically looking at cases that took place this year, but Sweet says if there are links that date back to cold cases from past years, they will pursue them.
The Task Force’s work, however, also needs the community’s help.
Police Chief Charles Bordeleau has said in the past that community groups, individuals, and the friends and family of gang members must also be a part of solving these crimes.
“We know for a fact that there are many witnesses and victims who are not coming forward and speaking to us,” Sweet says. “There are a lot that know it and could come forward. Unfortunately, for a lot of our unsolved cases, we really need that one courageous witness or victim to step forward.”
Sweet says, for those fearing possible retribution, there are options, from anonymous reporting to witness protection, depending on the crime.
“We can offer support from the charge process through the court process,” Sweet says. “I know that it is difficult. We’re not going to be there 24/7, and I understand there would be some reluctance, but we really do need somebody to help us with these.”
For parents, who may be worried their child could be involved in a gang, Sweet offers suggestions of things to look for. Watch for and ask questions about changes in behavior or clothing, or a sudden influx of money from an unknown source. If you see weapons or drugs, Sweet says you should contact police, or Crime Stoppers, which is anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Ottawa Police believe some of the same people are involved in multiple murders in our city.
In response to the spike in the number of homicides in Ottawa this year, Ottawa Police have created a special task force, looking into unsolved, gang-related homicides that appear to be related.
The task force is made up of Major Crime, Guns and Gangs, and Street Crime Unit investigators.
Superintendent Don Sweet with the Criminal Investigations Directorate says there’s no timeline for how long this task force will be at work.
“It really will depend on what the task force sees as progress and what they report back to me as far as how they’re doing with these investigations and how long it remains effective,” Sweet says. “It’s not a permanent thing because we do need to consider those sections that we’ve borrowed from, but I’m confident that I have other investigators that can fill any void or vacuum that has been caused by this.”
Sweet says the gang population in Ottawa is small, but a “large portion” of their unsolved murder cases this year are gang-related.
“It’s not surprising to see one person causing a ripple effect and multiple offenses, so we are definitely looking at some links and trying to confirm those suspicions,” he says.
The Task Force is specifically looking at cases that took place this year, but Sweet says if there are links that date back to cold cases from past years, they will pursue them.
The Task Force’s work, however, also needs the community’s help.
Police Chief Charles Bordeleau has said in the past that community groups, individuals, and the friends and family of gang members must also be a part of solving these crimes.
“We know for a fact that there are many witnesses and victims who are not coming forward and speaking to us,” Sweet says. “There are a lot that know it and could come forward. Unfortunately, for a lot of our unsolved cases, we really need that one courageous witness or victim to step forward.”
Sweet says, for those fearing possible retribution, there are options, from anonymous reporting to witness protection, depending on the crime.
“We can offer support from the charge process through the court process,” Sweet says. “I know that it is difficult. We’re not going to be there 24/7, and I understand there would be some reluctance, but we really do need somebody to help us with these.”
For parents, who may be worried their child could be involved in a gang, Sweet offers suggestions of things to look for. Watch for and ask questions about changes in behavior or clothing, or a sudden influx of money from an unknown source. If you see weapons or drugs, Sweet says you should contact police, or Crime Stoppers, which is anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).