To put a lid on rowdy behaviour in the ByWard Market, Vanier, Centretowne, Lowertown and Sandy Hill neighbourhoods, cops laid more than 500 charges over the weekend in “project Dandelion.”

More than 30 officers participated in the weekend nuisance crackdown aimed community concern about noise, public intoxication, drug use, aggressive driving, and property damage.

The majority of the charges laid related to liquor licenses, highway offences, smoke-free laws, and other offences, police said.

Five charges were laid for Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences and nine were laid under the Criminal Code.

“Enforcement is a key component to our strategy, but it’s not the only aspect of it,” said Insp. Uday Jaswal.

Jaswal said police also work with partners, such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commision of Ontario, to educate businesses and residents.

There is a seasonal increase in noise complaints from residents in the targeted areas and 500 charges in these types of operations are typical, Jaswal said.

Police conduct nuisance enforcement sweeps about three or four times a year, he said.