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City police say they’ll be stepping up weekend patrols on Rideau Street and in the ByWard Market and Vanier targeting “disorderly behaviour” starting Thursday night with the help of bylaw officers, alcohol inspectors and OC Transpo security.

“Our safety initiatives this spring and summer will have a zero tolerance approach to disorderly behaviour, such as Liquor Licence Act offences, criminal activity and aggressive panhandling that negatively impacts residents, visitors and businesses,” Supt. Mark Ford said.

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Ottawa residents can again expect to see more officers on bikes and on foot in those areas and other urban neighbourhoods while traffic officers launch RIDE checks and safety blitzes.

The force’s bikes and beats, drug, guns and gangs and PIVOT — prevention and intervention of violence in Ottawa — units will also be mobilized.

“This community safety initiative is one of the many ways your police is working with community partners to address community safety concerns,” Ford said, asking that the public do their part by reporting crime when they see it.

Report online at ottawapolice.ca, by calling the non-emergency number 613-236-1222 ext. 7300, or by dialling 911 in the event of an emergency or a crime in progress, police said.

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