Groups of special constables and security ambassadors will be “much more visible” and more numerous in around ten metro stations over the coming months, in order to combat the growing phenomenon of insecurity.
“We are going to strengthen our patrol teams in three areas of the metro, so in the southwest, east and north. Our staff will be targeted in the right places,” said the security director of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), Jocelyn Latulippe, at a press briefing on Wednesday.
The issue of safety in the metro has been on everyone’s lips for several months now. Last week, two violent events that occurred at the Lionel-Groulx metro station – a homeless man beaten and stabbed by a group of young people and a young woman hit in the face – shocked the population. In, the father of comedian Alexandre Champagne was also attacked at the Jean-Talon metro station.
Called “Reinsurance”, the operation will consist of the reallocation of additional time. Three groups of two special constables and two security ambassadors will now travel around ten stations, at all times, “in order to reassure people”. These quartets will each have three or four stations to cover, from the opening to the closing of the metro, and will have the mandate to be seen, first and foremost.
To the east, the targeted stations will be Joliette, Papineau, Beaudry and Frontenac, while to the southwest, it will be Lionel-Groulx, Atwater and Bonaventure. To the north, the Mont-Royal, Jean-Talon and Jarry stations will benefit from increased surveillance. These ten stations are those where the feeling of security is most affected.
Fewer users in sight?
The president of the STM, Éric Alan Caldwell, does not hide the fact that he fears losing users, especially occasional users, due to the current context. “We are worried about the loyalty of our customers. Our network needs us to be present,” he insisted.
“If we do not resolve the issues of housing and clinical monitoring, people will take refuge in the metro,” persisted Mr. Caldwell, reiterating that Health and the government will have to do more in the face of “the increase in clienteles vulnerable, mental health issues, drug addiction.
In the office of the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, we say we are “well aware of the situation in the Montreal metro”, while not closing the door to new aid.
“Although it is not the responsibility of the intervention teams of the various CIUSSS to intervene in the metro, the collaborative work with our municipal partners, police forces and community organizations is essential while the phenomenon of “homelessness is increasing,” they say.
Quebec nevertheless recalls having already invested 75 million in the fight against homelessness this year alone in Montreal. A few months ago, Mr. Carmant also announced a sum of 9.7 million to add around a hundred places in emergency shelters, for a total of 1,900. In total, more than 7,000 places are available in the metropolis for house people experiencing homelessness in the metropolis.
“Bogus”, says the opposition
The official opposition at Montreal city hall, for its part, denounced “a bogus announcement made on the corner of a table”. “It shows once again that the administration is reactive and does not take things seriously,” lamented the head of Ensemble Montréal, Aref Salem.
His party presented an action plan on Wednesday to restore the feeling of security in the metro, urging Montreal to take inspiration from Toronto and set up a telephone, text and chat help service for users who need immediate help. In Toronto, this measure has ensured that the time to obtain help is on average 90 seconds.
Ensemble Montréal is also asking for an increase in surveillance carried out by mixed teams, the services of the mobile mediation and social intervention team (ÉMMIS), but also police officers and special constables. The party is demanding that the latter “go from 160 to 230 employees, as requested for a long time by the Brotherhood of Constables and Peace Officers of the STM”.
It is also suggested that employees be present at all stations, from the opening to the closing of the metro, as well as a complete overhaul of the lighting system, the renovation of furniture and the installation of public toilets nearby. stations
“The Montreal metro remains safe. That said, we must not neglect the feeling of security,” said Mayor Valérie Plante on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a press briefing.
She promised to “continue to act for the metro”. “There are going to be more agents in the metro in preparation for the summer, there are special squads from the SPVM, we have more ambassadors and metro security. And we will continue this work. »
Mme Plante also recalled that “more support from Health” will be needed. “There are mental health issues and the opioid crisis which is hitting Montreal extremely hard. And finally, the issue of homelessness. It takes time, but we have to find solutions,” concluded the mayor.