The Ottawa Police Service has issued a public safety alert regarding Christopher Watts, a convicted violent offender now residing in the Rideau-Vanier neighborhood. Authorities confirmed the 64-year-old poses a significant risk to community safety, particularly to women and girls under 18 years of age.
Criminal History and Previous Offenses
Christopher Watts received a 17-year federal prison sentence in 2003 for the sexual assault, sexual interference, and manslaughter of a 13-year-old girl from Kitchener in 2001. After serving 12 years in custody, he was released under strict conditions in 2015, at which point he was officially designated as a high-risk offender.
According to police records and previous reporting by the Kingston Whig-Standard, Watts reoffended shortly after his initial release and has been moving between various halfway houses since that time. He has faced multiple allegations of breaching his court-ordered conditions in both Ottawa and Kingston.
Current Supervision and Restrictions
The Ottawa Police Service's High-Risk Offender Management Unit, in collaboration with Correctional Services Canada, is actively monitoring Watts. He remains subject to both a Long-Term Supervision Order and a probation order with stringent conditions designed to protect public safety.
Watts must adhere to multiple court-ordered restrictions, including:
- Remaining at least 50 meters away from locations where children under 18 typically gather, including schools, parks, swimming pools, and recreational centers, unless accompanied by an approved adult
- Avoiding all contact with female children under 18 unless supervised by a responsible adult who knows his criminal history and has received written approval from his parole supervisor
- Not consuming, purchasing, or possessing any drugs except prescribed medications taken as directed
- Complete prohibition on alcohol consumption, possession, or purchase
Public Safety Recommendations
Ottawa police emphasize that community members should not approach Watts under any circumstances if they suspect he is violating his conditions. Instead, they should immediately contact authorities through appropriate channels.
The police have provided multiple reporting options, including calling the Ottawa Police Service High-Risk Offender Management Unit at 613-236-1222 extension 4395, emailing HROM@ottawapolice.ca, or calling 911 for emergencies. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.
This public warning follows the police service's protocol for notifying communities when high-risk individuals are residing in their neighborhoods, allowing residents to take appropriate safety precautions while authorities continue monitoring the situation.
