OTTAWA — A public warning about a high-risk offender’s move to Ottawa has become the subject of debate over community safety and confrontation.

In its August 21 notice, Ottawa police said Aaron Gilpin, 35, had moved from Smiths Falls to the downtown area and was considered a high-risk violent sexual offender. The notice cites a criminal history including a sexual offence involving a child and violent offences.

What the police notice actually asks

Police instruct anyone observing criminal activity not to approach him. Instead, contact the High-Risk Offender Management Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 4395, or call 911 in an emergency.

CBC’s published story preview describes people confronting him and posting encounter videos, and experts warning that persistent public hounding can backfire. Individual social-media allegations should not be treated as independently established facts.

The police warning was issued in August; this is renewed coverage of its public response, not a newly announced relocation.

Sources: Ottawa Police Service notice. Further reporting: CBC Ottawa on vigilance, confrontation and reintegration.

Supporting image: AI-generated editorial illustration from TNC’s archive; not a photograph of this event or the people involved.