(Montreal) The Government of Quebec announced Saturday afternoon the injection of 250 million dollars over five years to fight against armed violence in the metropolis, to which the City of Montreal will add 25 million. Some 450 police officers will be hired.
Posted at 7:58
Updated at 6:47 p.m.
This announcement comes at the end of a week where two murders in the space of 30 minutes, in broad daylight and in public places, brought armed violence back to the forefront of the news.
Enough of this violence here in Montreal. There is concern among our citizens.
Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier of Quebec and Minister of Public Security
The Government of Quebec is committed to providing the City of Montreal with $50 million a year for five years to ensure an “increased” presence of police officers on Montreal territory, announced Geneviève Guilbault.
Each year the sum will be divided as follows: some 45 million will be paid to the metropolis to provide the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) with 225 additional officers and 5 million will be intended for the mobile mediation and intervention team. in Montreal to respond to mental health incidents.
The City of Montreal is also taking the initiative to increase its public safety resources: Montreal plans to inject $25 million over five years, a budget intended in particular for the Mobile Social Intervention Team (EMMIS), for the prevention of armed violence. According to the Mayor of Montreal, nearly 30% of the calls received by the SPVM are related to mental health cases.
Some 225 police officers will also be hired under the financial arm of Montreal, for a total of 450 new officers on Montreal territory within five years.
No, Montreal will not be the playground of criminals.
Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Valérie Plante announces new measures to fight gun violence in Montreal.
The Quebec National Police Academy is also collaborating on this agreement. Nearly 72 additional places will be added to train police officers who will serve the SPVM. Each year, 556 recruits are trained, indicated Geneviève Guilbault.
“This announcement demonstrates our ability to join forces and act in a targeted manner while respecting everyone’s skills,” added Chantal Rouleau, Minister responsible for the metropolis and the Montreal region.
These new investments are in addition to the $200 million granted by Quebec for CENTAURE, the Quebec strategy to fight against armed violence, underlined Geneviève Guilbault.
The SPVM also increased the strength of the Eclipse squad on Thursday, a team specializing in the fight against crime and violence on the island of Montreal. A new firearms squad will also come into effect around September 12, reported The Press who had access to the content of a meeting of SPVM executives.
Recall that the Legault government suspected the city of Montreal of having used funds from Quebec dedicated to the fight against crime for other expenses. The mayoress of Montreal immediately defended the integrity of her cabinet, stressing that her financial management was “irreproachable”, quoted in The Press.