Valérie Plante said she supported her police chief’s desire to transform the SPVM, five days after he mentioned the reduction in the number of neighborhood stations in Montreal
Posted at 5:09 p.m.
The mayoress of Montreal welcomed the holding of a reflection on the future of the police force, but warned that any proposal would be the subject of studies and consultations before being implemented.
“What I find interesting is that the police chief brings up proposals, solutions for […] be more efficient, […] always be more efficient, she said. How do we make sure that everywhere across the island we feel safe? Me, honestly, that’s what appeals to me. ”
Last Thursday, the head of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) threw a stone in the pond by evoking his desire to change the organization’s operating model, 25 years after the introduction of the concept of police of piece. The 30 local police stations are costing too much in money and personnel, said Caron, who would like to reduce their number. Montreal had 49 in 1997.
The Montreal police chief did not want to say what proportion of neighborhood stations he wanted to close.
Tuesday, Mayor Plante did not want to go down this path either.
“Of course, whatever is going to be proposed, it will be a matter of reassessment, of consultations. I see it as a good thing that we are thinking about the SPVM, ”said Valérie Plante.
Could neighborhoods struggling with an outbreak of gun violence lose their police stations? “It is really too early,” said Mayor Plante. “These are not the kind of decisions you make on the edge of a table, you will understand. Once Mr. Caron is going to present various elements to us, there will be food for thought and consultation. ”