We learned in the pages of Duty the creation of “24-hour” zones where establishments will be able to sell alcohol after 3 a.m. We also learned that the City also wishes to modify the noise regulations, which are currently unfavorable for bar owners. Then, the president of the executive committee, Luc Rabouin, also mentioned his intention to extend these zones beyond just the Latin Quarter.
We, residents of Montreal, welcome the initiatives to revitalize the city center. However, these initiatives must not be to the detriment of the quality of life of families already living on the edge of these adjoining areas. There is already a lot of trouble caused by certain delinquent institutions, unscrupulous in respecting the neighborhood. We are thinking here of the excessive noise of music until very late at night which harms the sleep of normal people, of drunken customers who scream or fight when leaving, of the numerous incivilities in neighborhood entrances, of vandalized street furniture, etc.
The police already intervene very little when these situations arise. In fact, the lack of staff at the SPVM and the prioritization of 911 intervention calls means that there are very few interventions in these areas at night for anything other than violence. However, if it is necessary to extend these “24-hour” zones and ease noise regulations, the nuisance for citizens will only be increased.
Finally, we never voted for this “24 hour” shift during the last elections. Completely the opposite. Why favor a bar lobby to the detriment of citizens’ quality of life? Could we ask for a reduction in municipal taxes to compensate for the new problems and inconveniences?
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