‘Operation Gold Dragon’ launched in Montreal’s Chinatown: Crime prevention and reporting project

In response to public safety concerns in Montreal’s Chinatown, the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) launched a pilot project called ‘Operation Gold Dragon’ encouraging people to report crime in the area.

CRARR is working alongside Chinatown residents, workers, and merchants, to increase public safety, economic vitality, and the quality of life in the district.

According to residents and community leaders, they say they’ve seen an increase of violence, drug trafficking, harassment, and vandalism in the area.

“The situation is becoming more critical than ever. Violence is coming back, so is disorder,” said Chinese Association of Montreal Vice-President Bryant Chang. “We don’t want to relive the nightmares of previous years, so we have to take the matters into our own hands to prevent violence and disorder from ruining our neighborhood.”

Citizens will be able to fill out an online form, which is not an official report, detailing if they were a victim or witness, a description of the area, your relationship to Chinatown (merchant, business owner, resident, etc.) and the type of incident that occurred.

Organizers say that the information is to collect data and demographics, and urge people to follow up with an official report to the police if needed.

“We want more people coming to Chinatown to live, to open business, to shop, and to invest. To everyone living, doing business and shopping in Chinatown, if you see crime and disorder, do something about it. Join Operation Gold Dragon,” said Chang.

Residents also claim there has been an influx of homeless encampments around Complexe Guy-Favreau, as well as others in Chinatown, which they say could cause more problems.

Phil Chu is a Chinatown resident and a young father whose child who goes to daycare in the area.

He said that he no longer feels safe in the neighborhood.

“The daycare is looking to close and relocate,” said Chu. “We don’t want Chinatown to become a ‘drug-free zone,’ like we’re seeing unfortunately, like in the village.”

The pilot project was made in partnership with the Employment and Social Development Canada (Canada Summer Jobs Program), the Chinese Association of Montreal, the Montreal Chinatown Economic Development Council, and local businesses.

Representatives of the Chinese community associations and Chinatown residents spoke at press conference to launch the project on Thursday – and share their experiences and concerns. 

Community members want to create a local residents association – so they represent those who actually live in the area.

“I’m a resident and this is only our Chinatown. I believe that it’s time to create a Chinatown resident association that will speak for people like and others all in this room. It’s time to take back our street and our neighborhood,” said Bill Wong, director general for the Montreal Chinatown Development Council. “We must do everything to prevent business and public service, organization from fleeting China. I don’t want them to leave.”

In addition, Montreal police (SPVM) set up a booth to meet with Chinatown residents on Thursday at Sun-Yat Sen park until 12:30 p.m.

Asian Heritage Month started May 1, and will end on Friday.