The stabbing of a man Sunday evening in Chinatown is the culmination of daily incivility linked to the growing population of homeless people, residents of the area deplore.
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Drug addiction, violence, sexual acts in the middle of the street: Jean-Philippe Riopel has seen everything in front of his apartment door.
Photo Laurent Lavoie
Jean-Philippe Riopel. Resident
“I call almost every day [au 9-1-1], it’s not a joke, protests the one who publicly campaigned for the conservation of Chinatown. It’s not safe anymore like it used to be. »
Another incident occurred not far from his home, Sunday evening, at the intersection of Clark and de la Gauchetière streets, a place frequented by the homeless population.
An altercation would have degenerated between several individuals and the victim, before the latter was stabbed at least once in the upper body.
The 34-year-old victim, who had been living on the streets for a few years, was known to the police. She died in hospital and the police are still looking for the perpetrator. This is the 34th murder of the year on Montreal territory.
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Pandemic factor
According to the stakeholders consulted by Le Journal, the presence of at least four aid organizations in the area directly contributes to the influx of homeless people.
James Hughes, president of the Old Brewery Mission, recalls for his part that the pandemic has complicated access to assistance services, and worsened certain problems among the homeless population.
“It’s no surprise that the facilities are overwhelmed. It’s not just Old Brewery, it’s the whole industry,” he notes.
“It’s also not surprising that from time to time there are incidents and it’s so disappointing and frustrating when it happens,” said Mr Hughes.
Solutions
In the short term, it will be necessary to increase the police presence, judge of the speakers.
Photo Laurent Lavoie
Bryant Chang, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Montreal, and Bill Wong, director of the Montreal Chinatown Development Council, in front of the place where the armed attack took place on Sunday evening.
“The police must take our complaints seriously. The community has been complaining for two years and nothing has really been done,” said Bryant Chang, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Montreal.
For James Hughes, the authorities must tackle the housing crisis.
“That’s the biggest issue in Montreal, it’s the availability of suitable housing, with services, which are not expensive,” he summarizes.