Some residents of Plateau Mont-Royal say crime and vandalism have increased in their neighborhood since the opening of a new 24-hour shelter at the old Hôtel-Dieu hospital.
"At first it was just a little bit of drugs, now it's spilled on our property and there's actually drugs and vandalism on our front steps. ' says Dionysia Spalas, who lives on St. Urban Street. "I put up surveillance cameras and within two hours someone was having sex across the street." said to have reported to
Despite police intervention, she says it is not enough.
"We are not at ease," said Sparas.
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The City of Montreal has worked with the Montreal Police Department (SPVM) and the Quebec Ministry of Health to address this issue. The Quebec Ministry of Health has chosen this location and is funding the project along with local health authorities. CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal.
According to City Councilor Maeva Vilain, the city has deployed a new brigade this week that has proven effective in other wards.
"So citizens can call them and there will be mediation and direct intervention very quickly," she said Vilain.
Vilain has also set up an outdoor space on the Hotel-Dieu property for customers to hang out, she says.
Her neighbors say it's not working.
"It's a big mess, certainly, because there's a mix of people with different needs in the house," said Eric Faille, who also lives in St. Her Urban Her Street. increase. "Keep the people who really need the program, who are not drug users or alcoholics. Keep the same people because they are fighting."
Faille and Spallas Both say they empathize with the needs of homeless people, but that more needs to be done.
"You set a trash can fire across from us. Now we are the top priority," said Sparas.
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Quebec's Ministry of Health referred Global News to the Montreal Police and said it was a safety issue. rice field.
They did not respond to questions about whether they were considering moving the shelter to another location by the deadline. patrols and a mixed team specially trained to talk to homeless people.
SPVM spokesperson Caroline Labelle said, "Rest assured that police are intervening if necessary." We encourage you to contact the station.”
Labelle said Info-Crime Montréal can also be contacted anonymously by calling 514 393-1133 or completing an online form. .
Nevertheless, some neighbors feel despair and are simply looking to leave the area.
"It was very embarrassing, disappointing and difficult to live with," said David Robertson, who is selling an apartment. "People aren't listening to us."
Meanwhile, the Old Brewery Mission, which manages the shelter on behalf of the ministry, says it is trying to find a solution to the problem. Says.
Old Brewery Mission's communications director, Marie-Pierre Thérien, said she was working on creating a task force to reach out and talk to people deemed problematic in the region. said there is.
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"We really understand that this situation will never be acceptable to them (the neighbors)." said Terrien. “We also educate Old Brewery Mission residents, so we have a code of conduct that you sign when you join, and we strongly encourage you to follow it.”
Old Brewery Mission It said that the only agency that can make relocation decisions is the Ministry of Health.
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