Montreal constables and bus drivers are calling for increased surveillance in public transit, in the face of the increase in violence observed there across the country, in Toronto and Vancouver in particular. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) will soon be unveiling an action plan to “reinforce” the feeling of safety of its customers and employees.
“We are not yet in the same situation as Toronto, but yes, we are already seeing an increase in violence. What we see in the streets of Montreal, we see it in the metro and the buses too, ”says the president of the Fraternity of constables and peace officers STM-CSN, Kevin Grenier.
Since the beginning of January, numerous violent events have occurred on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) network, as previously reported The Press1. Security has also been greatly tightened. In British Columbia, the West Vancouver bus drivers union also called last week for increased security measures, after a series of violent events in recent weeks.
If Montreal “has not yet reached the same stage, we should still be worried, in the sense that if we don’t take matters into our own hands, it would be surprising if we didn’t get to that too” , says Mr. Grenier. “Often, what happens in Toronto or Vancouver, we see it a few months later,” he says.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, PRESS ARCHIVES
Special constables patrolling the Montreal metro
To prevent the worst, he suggests that the number of constables and security guards be “increased” in the metro and on Montreal buses. “Often, we talk about crimes of opportunity, so if we are there in numbers, it is much more difficult to commit harassment or assault,” thinks the president.
The violence, Mr. Grenier continues, “is very different from before the pandemic in terms of frequency and degree”. “We have to know how to adapt and act in the right way when we face criminals or vulnerable people looking for help. Sometimes it’s complex, and you can add to that mental health problems and alcohol or drug use. »
“Anti-aggression” cabins
Pino Tagliaferri, president of the STM bus drivers’ union, also agrees. “What happens in Toronto, it could happen here, there’s nothing stopping it. We hear more and more stories of violence across Canada and here. It is sure that we are always a little more fearful when we get up in the morning to come and do our job, ”he reveals.
His group also says that it has begun talks with the STM to equip buses with “anti-aggression cabins, in order to better protect bus drivers”. “It’s something that we should really think about in the near future. In Toronto, it’s something they already have. And we don’t understand why it wasn’t done here, ”continues Mr. Tagliaferri.
For the rest, of course we also have to increase security in our facilities, with more officers. If we want to reduce the number of incidents and verbal or physical attacks, that’s the way to go.
Pino Tagliaferri, president of the STM bus drivers union
Currently, there are just over 160 constables who travel the 71 kilometers and 68 stations of the STM’s underground network. Last year, 17 of them left the ranks, without being replaced.
The “concerned” STM
The STM affirms for its part that it is currently preparing “a reinforced action plan aimed at reinforcing the feeling of security and reassuring [ses] customers and employees.
” [Ce plan] has been developed and is currently being validated by decision-making bodies, including members of the board of directors, ”indicates the spokesperson for the transport company, Philippe Déry, without giving further details.
He reiterates that several “complex social phenomena exacerbated since the pandemic” are “increasingly present” in the Montreal metro and buses.
“We are concerned about this trend and we are working with the SPVM to improve the actions already in place to help ensure the safety of customers and employees,” said Mr. Déry.
In addition to 2,000 cameras present in the Montreal metro, the transport company recalls that “200 maintenance workers were equipped with cell phones in the fall of 2022”. “Drivers can also press a button on the console for faster handling of emergency situations, especially when safety is at stake”, recalls Philippe Déry.