(Montreal) The City of Montreal, in consultation with the Center for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence (CPRMV), announced on Wednesday the deployment of a telephone line aimed at preventing armed violence within families in the city.
Named RENFORT (514 653-6363), the telephone support service is offered free of charge and confidentially. On weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on weekends from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., speakers will be available to respond in seven languages.
“Parents who feel powerless in the face of violent situations that their children may experience now have a telephone service where specialists answer them without judgement. It is very important for us that they can be listened to, advised or referred to the many services and resources that exist on the territory of the metropolis, ”said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante in a press release.
The initiative is part of the commitments that the City made last year at the end of the Montreal Forum for the fight against armed violence and is the third project to be implemented since the event. It will be funded from an envelope of $3 million earmarked for funding projects set up by and for young Montrealers.
“This initiative will support Montreal families and help strengthen their sense of security, while building a more cohesive city,” said Josefina Blanco, Head of Diversity, Social Inclusion, Homelessness, Accessibility universal, the status of women, youth and seniors on the executive committee of the City of Montreal.
The project also comes in support of the fight led by the Montreal Police Department against armed violence on the territory of the metropolis.
Two weeks ago, SPVM director Fady Dagher announced at a press briefing that in the first five months of 2023, firearm discharges, attempted murders and homicides involving firearms were down 30% compared to the same period last year.
Between 1er January and May 31, the SPVM counted 40 events where at least one shot was fired. Of the number, three murders and 16 attempted murders with a firearm have been recorded in the metropolis.
Seizures of firearms have also increased. Since the start of the year, 367 firearms have been seized by Montreal law enforcement, 107 more than on the same date in 2022.
Given the young age of several people apprehended in recent months, Mr. Dagher had also expressed his intention to get young offenders out of crime by focusing on prevention.