Community groups in Montreal’s Chinatown want governments to address rise in crime

Community groups representing Montreal’s Chinatown are calling on all three levels of government as well as local hotels and businesses to address a rise in what they say are criminal activities and disturbances in the area. 

“Last November, after the Guy-Favreau shelter was closed down, we noticed that there was less homeless people just was hanging around Chinatown. But about two months ago, it started all over again. And what we have noticed this year so far is this is a much more violent group of homeless people that are out there,” said Bryant Chang, the vice-president of the Chinese Association of Montreal.

The Chinese Association of Montreal and the Chinatown Economic Development Council say that they have noticed an increase in acts of violence related to drug trafficking and use as well as harassment and vandalism.

They claim that an increase in homeless encampments around Complexe Guy-Favreau as well as other ones in the area along with the arrival of Spring and Summer could also bring more problems. 

“There’s a particular laneway, just about a block from here, where all types of illegal activities are taking place, besides the drug dealers and drug addicts, there’s prostitution taking place. And I mean, it’s getting out of hand,” said Chang.

Bill Wong, the executive director of the Chinatown Economic Development Council, added, “well, first of all, it’s gonna have, you can scare away all the tourists. And tourists is down. And I think that Chinatown is getting not as much attention before.”

To address the situation, the Chinatown community groups have outlined six measures aimed at reducing threats to public safety that include an increased police presence, a zero tolerance by the police to drug trafficking and consumption as well as better lighting in the neighbourhood. 

“I think the time for crime is over. We have to take a much harder stance on this. Because otherwise, the problem will only get worse,” said Chang.

A daycare in Chinatown has already taken action, they do not take their children on walks outside of the facility like many other daycares do. 

“We are living every day with the people who are just doing drugs in the window. They try to talk to the children, but they scare them. And we don’t want to wait for an accident to happen. So we are all stressed and very anxious about that,” said Alexandra, a child educator with the CPE Le Petit Palais daycare.

Phil Chu, a young father added, “Am I living in an era where it’s normal that I walk my daughter that she should say hi to the crack dealers on the way to her daycare? Is that the new norm that we’re gonna be living with?”

CityNews Montreal reached out to the city of Montreal for comment on the measures that the Chinatown community groups would like the city take to address their concerns, but did not receive a response before deadline.