Latest news with #RogerChapman
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Thousands of ‘obstructed' licence plates captured by Ottawa's red light, photo radar cameras
Thousands of Ottawa motorists have escaped potential tickets for photo radar and red-light camera infractions due to hidden, damaged and dirty licence plates, costing the City of Ottawa millions of dollars in lost fine revenue. Tickets for red light and photo radar camera infractions are issued to the registered plate owner of the vehicle after an officer views the evidence. Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa show 15,480 vehicles with damaged, obstructed or missing licence plates were captured by Ottawa's automated speed enforcement cameras in the first three months of this year. A total of 71,238 speeders caught by the photo radar cameras in 2024 were rejected due to unreadable plates, while 52,851 vehicles captured by the cameras in 2023 had damaged, obstructed or missing plates. 'The total number of these instances represent a small number of cases overall,' Roger Chapman, Director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. 'For example, the number of incidents captured by automated speed enforcement cameras involving vehicles with damaged or obstructed plates or missing plates represents about 13 per cent of the total incidents captured per year.' A total of 1,502 vehicles caught running red lights by Ottawa's red-light cameras between January and April had damaged, obstructed or missing licence plates. In 2023 and 2024, a total of 8,006 vehicles caught by Ottawa's red-light cameras had obstructed licence plates. 'It is important to note that incidents captured by a camera are not automatically tickets,' Chapman said. 'The evidence must first be substantiated by an officer, following which a Notice of Offence is issued.' A report for the finance and corporate services committee meeting on June 3 says there was a $1.5 million deficit in the Traffic Service department through the first three months of the year 'primarily due' to lower-than anticipated revenues from photo radar cameras. Staff said inclement weather and changes in driver behaviour resulted in lower revenue from photo radar tickets, but covered or damaged licence plates resulted in potentially 15,480 speeding tickets not issued in the January to March period. Under Section 13 of the Highway Traffic Act, drivers are required to ensure their licence plates are unobstructed, properly mounted, and clearly visible to officers and enforcement technology. The fine for an obscured licence plate is $110. The Ottawa Police Service said in February that it regularly conducts enforcement targeting improper or obstructed licence plates, but notes some drivers deliberately obscure or alter their plate to avoid photo radar or red-light cameras, 'making enforcement more complex.' In a report for the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting on Feb. 24, Chief Eric Stubbs said another challenge is resource allocation, noting officers must balance enforcement of plate visibility with other traffic enforcement priorities, like speeding and aggressive driving. 'While significant progress has been made, the high number of unreadable plates remains a concern, particularly in relation to the effectiveness of ASE cameras and broader road safety objectives,' Stubbs said in the report for the February board meeting. 'OPS will continue to support the City of Ottawa's initiatives by enforcing license plate regulations and exploring opportunities for enhanced collaboration in addressing this issue.'
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Hundreds of drivers fined for illegally parking in accessible parking spaces in Ottawa
Bylaw Services shared a photo of a Porsche parked illegally in an accessible parking space in Ottawa this week. Nearly $900,000 worth of fines has been handed out so far this year to drivers parking illegally in accessible parking spaces across Ottawa. Bylaw Services shared a photo of a Porsche parked illegally in an accessible parking space in Ottawa this week. 'When you misuse an accessible parking space you make our community less inclusive,' Bylaw Services said in a post on X. 'We all play a role in making our community kinder and better. Leave accessible parking spaces free for those who require them.' In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Bylaw and Regulatory Services (BLRS) director Roger Chapman said 1,798 tickets have been issued since Jan. 1 to vehicles parked in accessible parking spaces without a permit. 'Accessible parking spaces are reserved to support the mobility and independence of individuals with disabilities. BLRS remains committed to enforcing these regulations to ensure equitable access for those who need it most,' Chapman said. 'BLRS reminds all motorists that only vehicles displaying a valid accessible parking permit are allowed to use designated accessible parking spaces.' The fine for parking illegally in an accessible parking permit is $500. In 2024, officers issued 3,193 tickets to vehicles parked in an accessible parking space without a valid permit. Between Oct. 1 and Nov. 5, 2024, officers issued 490 tickets to vehicles parked in accessible parking spaces.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- CTV News
Sheep on the lam in Osgoode ‘impounded' by Ottawa bylaw
Ottawa Bylaw is looking for the owner of a sheep that was found to be 'at large' in the Osgoode area over the weekend. Bylaw and Regulatory Services director Roger Chapman says officers were called to the area of Stone School Road at around 11:45 a.m. Sunday because of a loose sheep that was running around the area. 'Our officers successfully contained the animal; however, efforts to locate its owner were unsuccessful. The sheep was subsequently transported to a local farm for safekeeping,' Chapman said in a statement. In a post on X, Ottawa Bylaw said the owner would be required to describe the sheep before claiming it. Chapman said a new home for the sheep would be found if its owner does not come forward. 'If the owner does not come forward, the animal will be surrendered for rehoming in accordance with the Pounds Act,' Chapman wrote.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- CTV News
Dozens of calls about alcohol in Ottawa parks in 2024, Bylaw Services says
Alcohol could be allowed in some Ottawa parks this summer As the City of Ottawa looks at allowing parkgoers to enjoy alcoholic beverages in certain areas of parks this summer, new data shows Bylaw Services officers responded to dozens of calls for open alcohol and drinking in parks last year. An update to the Parks and Facilities Bylaw, to be discussed at the Community Services Committee meeting next Tuesday, recommends allowing alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks selected by councillors. Under the proposed rules, people would only be allowed to drink alcohol in parks between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. and alcohol would be prohibited within five metres of beaches, splash pads, playground equipment and sports fields and ball diamonds. The current bylaw prohibits alcoholic beverages in a park, except at events with a park rental permit and a special occasion permit. Bylaw Services Director Roger Chapman tells CTV News Ottawa the city received 42 calls for open alcohol and drinking in parks in 2024. 'As a result of these calls, 10 tickets were issued under the Parks and Facilities Bylaw,' Chapman said. Four tickets were issued for consuming alcohol in parks in 2022, while five charges were issued drinking alcohol/open liquor in parks in 2023. The fine for open alcohol and drinking in parks is $260 per offence. The Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Public Health have raised health, safety and security concerns about allowing alcohol consumption in parks. Chief Eric Stubbs told the city that 'adequate bylaw enforcement presence and clear guidelines for managing alcohol consumption' in parks would be required. Staff are recommending allowing alcohol consumption in designated areas of parks, as determined by the ward councillor, in consultation with the general manager of Public Works. The report does provide two potential options for allowing alcohol consumption in parks: Option 1 : Allow the councillor in each ward to work with their communities to decide on designating a park, or not, to permit personal consumption of alcohol. : Allow the councillor in each ward to work with their communities to decide on designating a park, or not, to permit personal consumption of alcohol. Option 2: Implement a phased approach, whereby the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department general manager would, in consultation with the local ward councillor, select 'up to one park per ward' to authorize personal consumption of alcohol from July 1 to Oct. 31. The proposed rules include:
CTV News
24-04-2025
- CTV News
Bear spotted in Kanata safely tranquilized and relocated
Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services (BLRS) says a young bear that was spotted in Kanata Thursday morning has been safely relocated. Bylaw published posts on social media warning residents to avoid the Herzberg Road and Corkstown Road areas because a bear was seen nearby. 'The bear was in close enough proximity to residents and businesses to warrant intervention for public safety,' said Bylaw and Regulatory Services director Roger Chapman in a statement to CTV News. 'With close collaboration between BLRS, National Capital Commission and the Ottawa Police Service, the bear was safely chemically immobilized and transported to a Ministry of Natural Resources-approved release site suitable for the bear.' With bears emerging from hibernation and looking for food, Ottawa Bylaw is reminding residents of several tips to be 'bear wise' this spring. If you see a bear, slowly back away while keeping it in sight and wait for it to leave. If the bear does not leave, throw objects, wave your arms, and make noise. Do not run, climb a tree or swim and do not feed the bear. Ottawa Bylaw is also reminding residents to keep food sources and garbage secure so as not to attract bears to your area. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says not every bear encounter is an emergency. You should only call 9-1-1 if a bear poses and immediate threat to personal safety or is exhibiting aggressive behaviour, such as if it enters a home, a schoolyard while school is in session, or if it is attacking livestock or pets. If you own a dog, keep it on a leash in areas where bears are known to live or frequent. 'Be aware that unleashed dogs can cause defensive black bear attacks on people. Unleashed dogs returning to their owners can cause a chase response that may lead a bear back to the owner,' the ministry says.
