Plante to increase police presence in Old Montreal after latest shooting

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante says she is concerned about the recent amount of violence that has occurred in the city and has vowed to increase police presence in the Old Port to ensure additional safety.

In a statement on the Ville de Montreal website, Plante says she wishes to “assure the population that all efforts are being made” to ensure safety among citizens.

On Sunday night, five people, including one police officer, were taken to hospital after a 2 am shooting that occurred near the Old Montreal Clocktower.

No one was seriously injured, and all five victims are expected to survive.

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“The events of recent days involving firearms are worrying, but I want to reassure Montrealers that we are taking the situation very seriously and are implementing a whole series of actions to stem the problem of violent crime,” says Plante in French. “We cannot accept that acts likely to seriously injure or even kill citizens occur on the territory of Montreal. Everything will be done to quickly resolve these cases.”

Plante says a greater police presence will be established in Old Montreal, especially at times deemed “more critical,” citing specifically when bars close.

Déjà, une présence policière accrue est assurée et le sera, aux lieux et heures critiques, comme à la fermeture des bars dans le Vieux-Montréal. Les enquêtes seront menées rapidement et le @SPVM se déploie sur le terrain dans une optique de sensibilisation et de prévention. 3/3

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) September 14, 2020

The City of Montreal says it will also work in conjunction with other cities throughout the province to “assess the best practices” that allow for police forces to ensure “all appropriate resources are deployed” to the various challenges of preventing crime.

“At all times, the safety of all Montrealers remains our top priority,” concluded Plante.