T2 B1 Canada Trip 2 Of 3 Fdr- Circular- Regional Security Office- Ottawa Security Information 895

REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICE

OTTAWA SECURITY INFORMATION CRIME: Ottawa, Canada's capital and the government seat, is a medium crime threat• post """""'" " \. Regional Police (OCRP) patrol the city proper, "' ' "*"'"" *-•--*-*•*'^ Dial 911 for Police/Emergency-life threatening Services. Street crime throughout Canada can best be categorized as below or at U.S. levels for comparable metropolitan area. The downtown area where the- majority of sites and hotels are located is considered by the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to be relatively safe. The Byward Market (approximately four square blocks bordered by Sussex Drive, Murray Street, King Edward Avenue and Rideau Street.) is an enjoyable area of restaurants and boutiques during the day and early evening. However, in the late evening hours, there is drug dealing and prostitution activity with occasional incidents of violence outside bars as they close. There is no evidence to support that Americans are being directly targeted for any criminal activity in Ottawa. As with any city, using common sense and remaining aware of your surroundings go a long way toward ensuring your personal safety. DEMONSTRATIONS: The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has, in recent years been the target of demonstrations from groups protesting the Iraq situation, the NATO action hi Kosovo and other issues. Permits are required for demonstrations and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ottawa Police Service provide uniformed officers to assist with crowd control. There have been no incidents or injuries to U.S. Embassy personnel during the recent demonstrations. There are no planned demonstrations known at this time which may impact on U.S. citizen visitors. TERRORISM: All diplomatic posts worldwide 'are taking appropriate security precautions in light of current events, including the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the August 1998 bombings of two U.S. Embassies in Africa and threats from Usama Bin Laden and associated groups. In addition, the December 1999 arrest of convicted terrorist Ahmed Ressam and several other individuals at Canadian-U.S. border crossings illustrates the need for all USG employees and visitors to remain aware of their surroundings and report any unusual circumstances to the RSO. Furthermore, past experience hi Canada has shown that the anticipated military action by the U.S. and its allies could lead to retaliatory attacks and protests by terrorist organizations in Canada and throughout the world. SECURITY CONTACT NUMBERS: •

Ambulance, fire and police in Ottawa and Gatineau: 911

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RCMP Emergency: (613)952-4200

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Marine Guard Post 1 (24 hours): (613) 688-5248/9

Any security incident involving a mission employee or member of a visiting U.S. delegation should be reported to the RSO at (613) 688-5262 or through Post One. 08/01/02