Lexus owners beware

Free Press, May 8, 2013. Click to enlarge.

On EP week, thank an emergency responder

Cote Saint-Luc’s finest in orange: volunteer Citizens on Patrol

As Emergency Preparedness Week winds down across Canada I believe it’s important for everyone to take a moment to thank someone involved in emergency services and emergency preparedness, especially those who volunteer their time.  It is because of these fine individuals and their sense of dedication that all of us are safer where we live, play and work each day.

Cote Saint-Luc’s long-serving EMS volunteers being congratulated by City Council

I salute everyone involved in Cote Saint-Luc’s Public Safety Department starting with our volunteers.  These folks who give so much of themselves within EMS and vCOP are terrific in so many ways.  Without salary, they show up for their shifts, rain or shine, heat wave or deep freeze.  They do continuous training and provide extra coverage at special events, all to ensure our safety.  They respond when called upon and are always at the ready.  Thanks so much to all of you.

CSL launches eco-friendly COP Scooter Patrol

Our CSL Public Security agents patrol our streets 24/7.  They are friendly and helpful professionals here to maintain order within our city, to educate our residents and visitors and to help when help is needed. They enforce our bylaws to ensure our neighbourhoods are clean and orderly.  Merci a tous l’équipe pour vos efforts remarcable.

Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Emergency Medical Services honour guard

Our emergency communications staff, also known as dispatchers, must answer all the phone calls and send the right resources, quickly and professionally.  They juggle phones, Urgences Santé and EMS radio systems, computer-aided dispatch screens and more. Thanks to them for keeping calm under pressure and for their polite and helpful interactions with residents.

Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson

Public Safety Chief Jerome Pontbriand

 

Our team is headed by Director Jordy Reichson and Chief Jerome Pontbriand.  Jordy oversees the entire operation of 150 volunteers and some 20 staff members.  He also plans for wide scale emergencies. Jordy deals with residents and partner agencies and plans strategically to keep our city safe.

Jerome works directly with our volunteers in vCOP and EMS.  He helps to bring them ongoing training and improvement to help them meet the challenges of servicing our city. Jerome is a seasoned paramedic who makes sure you get a first responder fast when you need one.

Both Jordy and Jerome are committed emergency professionals, dedicated to the safety and security of all Cote Saint-Lucers as well as those working and visiting here. YOu may even bump into one of them on a 911 call.

EMS Chief Sheldon “Shloime” Goldberg and his team of skilled and dedicated medics are always close at hand, ready to spring into action

So please be sure to salute our emergency responders that are in and around Cote Saint-Luc (and all across our country). In addition to those solely in our city I mentioned above, there are also Montreal police officers and firefighters and CP Rail police.  You’ll occasionally see the RCMP here as well.  And of course there are the paramedics of Urgences Santé, responding to all of our medical 911 calls.  Please thanks them for all they do to keep us safe and secure, for answering our calls, for being ready when we need them most.

Cote Saint-Luc Public Security officer Jean-Noel Champagne

 

This is Emergency Preparedness Week

Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is an annual event that takes place each year during the first full week of May. This national event is coordinated by Public Safety Canada, in close collaboration with the provinces and territories and partners.

Creating a personal emergency plan for you and your family is a crucial first step.  All information on the Public Safety Canada website is bilingual and very informative.

Police chase ends in Cote Saint-Luc

Cote Saint-Luc residents were bewildered at the rare sight of three Montreal Police cruisers that were involved in a pursuit of a stolen black BMW.

Police intercept stolen BMW in Cote Saint-Luc. Photo: Lewis Cohen.

The excitement came to an abrupt ending on Wildwood Ave yesterday afternoon, as reported and photographed by resident Lewis Cohen.   Two suspects, a male and female, were driving in the stolen BMW until they were cornered on Wildwood, in the Kildare/Parkhaven area.  The two escaped custody after the high speed chase.

Resident Lewis Cohen witnessed the conclusion of this police chase on Wildwood Ave. Photo Lewis Cohen.

The vehicle was dumped on Wildwood Ave, just across from Cohen’s house, where the suspects fled running through Fion park.  The suspects remained at large as of yesterday afternoon.

Police retrieve stolen BMW and load onto a flatbed. Photo: Lewis Cohen.

No parking in fire lanes

The Free Press. April 23, 2013. Click to enlarge.

Station 9 Police Watch

Free Press. April 23, 2013. Click to enlarge.

Public Security agents enforcing local bylaws

Cote Saint-Luc Public Security officer Jean-Noel Champagne

While I’m often asked about the issuance of tickets in Cote Saint-Luc it can be said that many of thee are a voluntary tax.  If motorists respect the bylaws that are in place for the safety and security of all there would hardly be a need to issue a ticket in the first place.

That said, the CSL Public Security department issues hundreds of tickets each month for vehicles parked in handicap spots without the required permit, parking in emergency lanes (the area marked as no parking in reserve for fire trucks and other emergency responders in front of buildings), parking in bus stops or otherwise blocking traffic.

CSL PS routinely patrols school zones (in fact they’re at a different local school every morning) along with the Montreal Police Department. Day in and out there are parents illegally parked in front of schools making it more dangerous for all the kids going to and coming from school.  The schools as well as parents and local residents regularly ask for increased patrols and enforcement in these important spots.

CSL PS only issues tickets for non-moving violations and other municipal bylaws.  The police are uniquely mandated to enforce moving violations under the Quebec Highway Safety Act.

For more information on municipal bylaws including parking, traffic and public safety, click here.  Obey the signs and rules of the road and save yourself the cost of an unnecessary ticket.

Run. Hide. Fight. What to do if…

It’s a sad reality that such a video even needs to be produced. Such is the case for the US Department of Homeland Security that funded this piece that was produced by the Houston Texas Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Of course, one never expects to be in the presence of an active shooter.  But given that such events have indeed taken place, albeit far less so in Canada, it’s worthwhile to take a few minutes to watch the video and think about how you would handle such a horrendous and frightful experience.

Lockdowns and simulations for active shooter scenarios have been organized right here at home (in particular at Cote Saint-Luc’s Bialik High School) by Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette in conjunction with local emergency services.

International Driving Permit (IDP) in Florida: CAA-Quebec confirms the law’s repeal

International Driving Permit (IDP) in Florida: CAA-Quebec confirms the law’s repeal

 

QUEBEC CITY, April 2, 2013 – Now that Florida authorities have finally set aside the new requirement for all foreign drivers to hold a valid International Driving Permit (IDP), CAA-Quebec is pleased and relieved to see that the efforts of recent weeks have paid off. In fact, the Governor of Florida signed just today the document officializing the legislative changes.

 

“We welcome this return to normal and wish to inform all Quebecers who are preparing for a stay in Florida that there is no longer a legal obligation to have an IDP to drive there,” says Sophie Gagnon, Assistant Vice President, Public and Government Relations, for CAA-Quebec. In February the organization learned, to its great astonishment, about the quiet introduction of this measure effective January 1, 2013, with no prior announcement.

 

CAA-Quebec quickly reacted, joining forces with the Canadian and American Automobile Associations (CAA/AAA) to condemn this measure and have it changed. Today, it is delighted with this turnabout, which demonstrates that Sunshine State authorities are giving due consideration to the importance of the many visitors — including hundreds of thousands of Quebecers — to its large tourism industry.

 

“The adoption and implementation of this legislative change creates a much clearer and more reassuring context than the tolerance that local authorities had been asking for, up to now, from those responsible for enforcing the law,” Ms. Gagnon explains. “The CAA in fact reported some isolated cases of people having had problems because of this situation. So we are very satisfied and can assert that CAA-Quebec contributed to this happy outcome by taking part in the decisive joint action of the CAA and AAA.”

 

The IDP is a piece of identification that complements a local driving licence and that serves essentially as a recognized official translation in some 10 languages. It is very useful — and even mandatory — for many destinations. CAA-Quebec is the organization authorized by the government to issue IDPs in Quebec.

 

CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1904, provides automotive, travel, residential and financial services and privileges to its 1,210,000 members.

 

Police nabbing CSL motorists in Hampstead

Hampstead’s maze of nonsensical traffic signs continue to frustrate many West End motorists, particularly Cote Saint-Lucers.

Today, for at least the third time in a month, the Montreal police traffic squad is handing out tickets to those who do not calculate the permissible turning times off of Fleet.

Motorists know just how confusing the contradictory signs placed by the Town of Hampstead can be.  Some intersections allow turning at various intervals (green circle signs) while others prohibit turning during other intervals (red circle signs).  The text size is also very small and text heavy.

Police officers hide their cars so that they cannot be seen when turning off of Fleet.  Some officers have been from the traffic division (cars bearing the number 60) while most have been from Station 9.

Hampstead residents have been on the hook too as some have been nabbed at Belsize and Netherwood where the sign forces motorists to turn toward Fleet rather than continuing straight, through Hamsptead’s side streets.

Hampstead forces motorists off its side streets and back to Fleet (Belsize corner of Netherwood)

As written previously on this blog this is nothing more than a frustrating game of entrapment by Hampstead with compliance by the Montreal Police.  I personally would fight such a ticket in court in hopes of having a judge quash the nonsensical maze of confusing signs which constitute a traffic hazard.

Use of a phone while driving is a no no.  How about use of a calculator while driving?

Read more:

Ire, ridicule greet Hampstead left-turn rule

Hampstead break-in good warning for CSLers too

Although the break-in described in the news clipping below occurred a couple of weeks ago in Hampstead it is a stark reminder to all homeowners that one must take precautions to secure one’s home before vacation.

Always have a friend or neighbour ensure that your home does not look vacant while you’re away.  Pick up newspapers and mail, shovel the walk, keep a car in the driveway, and make your place looked lived in.  Timers are an excellent way to ensure lights and TVs cycle on and off to add to that lived in look.

For more information contact Police Station 9, your insurer or any of a number of excellent and reputable organizations’ websites.

Free Press. Feb. 26, 2013. Click to enlarge.

Back-peddling in Florida means international permit not required afterall, for now

Seems the authorities in Florida just realized that they created a bureaucratic mess for millions of snowbirds and hundreds of thousands of tourists.  No sooner did Quebecers get word that their “foreign” drivers permit would no longer be acceptable by police forces in the Sunshine State, resulting in the need and expense to obtain an international drivers permit (IDP) along with a passport-like photo, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has issued a statement saying, ‘Woops, we goofed, hold on just a sec.’

This is big relief for thousands of Cote Saint-Lucers who call Southern Florida their second home, most of them having had no knowledge that an IDP was technically needed since Jan 1.

Stay tuned as this situation develops!

 

A command performance at vCOP meeting

Glenn J. Nashen with Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette

Montreal Police Station 9 Commander Sylvain Bissonnette was the special guest speaker at last week’s bi-monthly patrol meeting of Cote Saint-Luc’s volunteer Citizens on Patrol (vCOP).

The local police chief is also a historian and volunteer commander of the St. John’s Ambulance.  He spoke to the membership about the history, philosophy and guiding principles of policing in the western world.

Modern policing systems are derived from French and British legal systems, Bissonnette explained.  Sir Robert Peel, 19th century British Prime Minister, was a driving force in creating the Metropolitan Police Force in 1829, based at Scotland Yard, while he served as  Home Secretary. The 1,000 constables employed were affectionately nicknamed ‘Bobbies’ (a term still used today).

“Modern police forces are by the people, for the people,” Bissonnette told the volunteers.  ”They are there to serve and protect based upon the rules of law and good order, and not at the whim of whomever is in charge of the state, as is the case in dictatorships around the world.”

“The scrutiny over police is extensive,” the commander explained, indicating that there are numerous oversight bodies, both official and unofficial  including the media as well as the average citizen armed with a smartphone video camera. Such was the case with the now famous story about Constable 728 who was videotaped aggressively pepper-spraying student protesters and others.  The video was uploaded to Youtube, covered by national and international media and the officer was disciplined by the force.

The commander concluded saying that the police force is a dynamic and evolving organization, showing off the new vehicles and uniforms that will take effect beginning next month.

Many thanks to Commander Bissonnette for continuing to inspire the members of CSL vCOP.  His collaborative style and optimistic outlook is refreshing.  His tireless efforts have ensured that Cote Saint-Luc remains the safest community in the Montreal Agglomeration.

For more information on CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol or to join please visit the vCOP website.

Break keeps crews busy in knee deep water

Crews work to shut of valve to the water pipe on Kildare Road

A watermain break this afternoon on Kildare Road near Shalom Ave has kept crews from Fire, Police, Public Security, Public Works and Engineering departments along with water management firm Dessau busy on site.

The Fire Department quickly setup pumps to minimize any flooding at neighbouring homes.

Crews also must deal with cutting through the frozen ground to access the water shut off valves.  No easy task in such cold weather.

Some temporary water shutdowns in the neighbourhood may be necessary and traffic has been reduced to one lane westbound on Kildare.

Emergency crews respond to assist at watermain break

Montreal Police to get new, dark uniforms

 

The Montreal Police Department is fading to black.  Well, at least their shirts are.  After decades of a lighter, softer look, the force is conforming to the growing trend cross Canadian police departments by sporting dark, blue-black uniform shirts.

There was a time when most police departments across Quebec outfitted their cops in the light blue shirt (white for top brass).  Personally, I find the lighter hues to be friendlier and approachable.  I particularly despise the Quebec Police Force (Surete du Quebec) khaki uniform which looks very paramilitary and gives the wrong first impression of our dedicated and professional uniformed officers.

The new black shirts for the Montreal Police Department might make our officers, Montreal’s Finest, look like their counterparts from big American cities.  A little too scary from my perspective given that Montreal’s crime rates are lower than large American cities or Toronto.

To their credit the Police Department asserts that, “Our philosophy does not change. We remain a community police department. Our officers are mandated to be in their community and to get closer to the people and the colour of the uniform does not in any way change our approach”.  That’s the most important thing and I appreciate that they hold this philosophy at the heart of their mission.

Regardless of the colour of their shirt the Montreal Police Department  must stick by their motto, “Proud to serve you”.