My appearance on Mike Cohen’s podcast

I’m excited to be a guest on Councillor Mike Cohen’s podcast about my political involvement in the City of Côte Saint-Luc and my continued work in Public Safety / volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Have a listen and I hope you get involved in your community too. Your comments are always appreciated.

Man sentenced for antisemitic incidents in Côte-St-Luc

In December, another man agreed to a peace bond that included a similar condition that he also keep a distance from the Jewish community.

Paul Cherry  •  Montreal Gazette

Published Apr 19, 2023

A second man has been ordered to keep his distance from members of Montreal’s Jewish community as part of a sentence he received Wednesday in a case where the Montreal police investigated how antisemitic insults were shouted at people in Côte-St-Luc two years ago.

The court order was part of a sentence delivered at the Montreal courthouse by Quebec Court Judge Pierre Dupras. Jawad Jawad, 22, of Montreal, received a sentence that includes a conditional discharge as long as he respects a series of conditions while he is on probation for a year.

On Feb. 20, Jawad pleaded guilty to uttering threats while he and Aymane Boushaba, 21, of Montreal, drove through Côte-St-Luc on May 17, 2021. The incident prompted Côte-St-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein to make a robocall the following day informing residents of what happened. The insults were made during the 2021 11-day war in Israel.

As part of the same sentence, Jawad was ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service and keep the peace, and he is not allowed to communicate with the person who filed the complaint against him.

He is also not allowed to refer to any member of the Jewish community on the internet or on social networks.

On Dec. 2, Boushaba was ordered to follow a similar set of conditions after he agreed to sign a peace bond.

When Jawad pleaded guilty to uttering threats in February, a stay of proceeding was placed on charges alleging he incited hatred and was in possession of a weapon or a fake weapon.

“Though we were disappointed by the reduced charges, the probation terms agreed upon (on Wednesday) reflect the severity of the individual’s actions and include stringent protections for our community,” Eta Yudin, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) Quebec vice-president, wrote in a statement.

“Today, Judge Dupras made clear that the court recognized the severity of the defendant’s actions and that those who seek to foment or act on hate and antisemitism must face serious consequences. Though a plea deal led to the hate charge being dropped, the hateful intent behind the defendant’s actions certainly was not forgotten,” Yudin wrote.

“Perpetrators of hate must know that promoting antisemitism or any form of hatred will never be OK,” Yair Szlak, Federation CJA president and CEO, wrote in the same statement. “Today, the justice system sent a clear message that there are real consequences to hate. Both of the accused have now been held accountable for their despicable actions.”

According to the statement released by CIJA and Federation CJA, the two men “filmed themselves driving through Jewish neighbourhoods loudly shouting antisemitic slurs and threats to passersby. In one of their videos, posted on social media, they explained they were going to Côte-St-Luc because “that’s where all the Jews are.”

pcherry@postmedia.com

Two arrested in CSL in alleged real estate scam | City News | thesuburban.com

The SPVM’s Economic Crimes Section has arrested two suspects “in connection with a real estate fraud whose victims are owners seeking to sell their homes quickly in exchange for a cash amount,” police announced.

Read the article below…

https://www.thesuburban.com/news/city_news/two-arrested-in-csl-in-alleged-real-estate-scam/article_06d7f724-8cc1-52e4-a532-bbc7d8aa9ab8.html?utm_source=The%20Suburban%20Newspaper&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News

Man charged with uttering threats must stay away from Jewish community

For the next six months, Aymane Boushaba cannot make direct or indirect reference on social media to members of the Jewish community.

Paul Cherry  •  Montreal Gazette Dec. 02, 2022 

A 21-year-old man was ordered to keep his distance from members of Montreal’s Jewish community on Friday in a case wherein he was charged with uttering threats in Côte-St-Luc.

Aymane Boushaba, 21, a resident of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, was arrested last year along with Jawad Jawad, 22, of Montreal North, after anti-Semitic slurs were uttered toward people in Côte-St-Luc on May 17, 2021.

The pair were arrested after two men drove through Côte-St-Luc that evening hurling anti-Jewish insults toward people. The incident prompted Côte-St-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein to make a robocall the following day informing residents of what happened.

During a hearing at the Montreal courthouse on Friday, Boushaba conceded that a man who filed a complaint with the Montreal police had reason to fear for his safety when the comments were made.

For the next six months, Boushaba is not allowed to possess a weapon and is not allowed to be within 200 metres of the home and place of work of the complainant. Prosecutor Cynthia Gyenizse added conditions requiring that Boushaba not be within 200 metres “of the Jewish community and make no direct or indirect reference on social media” to the complainant or the Jewish community.

After Boushaba signed the peace bond, Quebec Court Judge Pierre Labelle acquitted him on charges of uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

In a statement released after Boushaba agreed to sign the peace bond, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Federation CJA wrote that they were “encouraged” by what happened in court on Friday. 

“The courts sent a clear message today: roaming with knives and yelling racial slurs at Quebecers of Jewish heritage is unacceptable in any setting and perpetrators will face the consequences of acting on hatred,” Federation CJA CEO Yair Szlak wrote. “This sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to perpetrate hate that these actions are not welcome in Quebec and that the consequences are real.”

According to Federation CJA, “videos of the incident were posted on social media by the accused before being taken down in the ensuing days.“

Jawad also appeared before Labelle on Friday. He is also charged with uttering threats and being in possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He faces an additional charge of willfully promoting hatred against an identifiable group. 

His lawyer, Sébastien Brousseau, asked that Jawad’s case be carried over to February.

pcherry@postmedia.com

Cote Saint-Luc appointment of vCOP chairman

I am very excited to take on this new role as chairman of vCOP. Having founded the organization in 2006 I have been actively involved in the leadership and all aspects of vCOP. It is my pleasure to return in this newly created position. I thank Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and vCOP Councillor Steven Erdelyi for their confidence and I look forward to working closely with CSL Public Safety Director Philip Chateauvert and Chief Jean-Marc Dubois and with all of our dedicated and extraordinary volunteers.

vCOP is an outstanding community service that adds a layer of protection to the safest city on the Island of Montreal. I hope to encourage more residents and visitors to join us for a rewarding, interesting and exciting experience.

Have a safe evening in CSL

A lovely evening patrolling Cote Saint-Luc on electric scooters. 16 years of volunteer Citizens on Patrol after more than 25 years of shifts at CSL EMS. Happy to serve!

Montreal Gazette: Editorial: Bill 21 undermines Quebec’s efforts to be inclusive

So long as this repugnant law remains on the books, it will undermine whatever laudable steps are taken to build a truly inclusive Quebec.

Read more:

https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-bill-21-undermines-quebecs-efforts-to-be-inclusive

Nova Scotia tragedy screams out for gun control

The senseless, horrific massacre that has befallen Nova Scotia, perhaps Canada’s worst, is a national tragedy on many levels.

First, this cowardly act was amplified as it was carried out during the global pandemic. People everywhere are already on edge, overridden with anxiety at five plus weeks of isolation and distancing. The aftermath of the killings is depriving Nova Scotians and mourners across the country from the basic need of togetherness, of family and communal support and comforting.

Two, the killer, tarnished the iconic national treasure that is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was tragic that he took the life of RCMP constable Heidi Stevenson and injured another officer, let alone the horrendous loss of 21 other victims. But in disguising himself in the revered uniform and duping the public in the fake police car he has robbed all Canadians of the blanket of comfort which is the essence, the brand of the RCMP.

Third, the Nova Scotia horror underscores the urgent and long overdue need for the federal government to legislate stricter gun control including the ban on assault weapons. And as I have advocated for decades and posted on this blog I call upon our legislators to outlaw handguns. There is no need for the average Canadian to posses such weapons.

When I express my opinion, I usually get a slew of hate mail from gun advocates, mostly Americans, that try to bully anyone who calls for firearm restrictions. So be it. They’re entitled to their ill-conceived opinions but they have no lessons to teach us here, in Canada. The U.S. model is so out of control, so utterly broken, with mass shootings so routine. Many of their leaders have become immune to their own pain and suffering, incapable of any effective change.

I will also hear from my old friend in Toronto, a police officer who routinely reminds me that we should not penalize lawful owners of guns. He has a point and I agree that there are very few cases that could be allowed with strict controls and regulations. He also says that what is needed is tougher penalties for gun crime in Canada and I couldn’t agree more.

So this is our opportunity, once again, in the aftermath of a horrific mass shooting to call upon every Member of Parliament to support very strict limits on who may posses a firearm of any sort in this country, to crack down on illegal smuggling of these weapons into our country and to substantially increase the penalty for illegal possession of guns and other lethal weapons and the sentencing for such offences.

Let’s honour the memory of the victims by taking these necessary steps to prevent such horrors from ever happening again in Canada.

CSL State of Emergency aims to limit spread of virus

Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein has been extremely active in putting into action decisive measures to mitigate risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic. CSL has been an early actor to declare a State of Emergency and in shutting down municipal services and facilities. The mayor has been communicating on an urgent basis with residents through its mass calling system.

Leading a city is difficult enough during normal times. During a crisis this is especially true. I was deeply involved in every CSL disaster for the last 40 years and playing a leadership role as City Councillor for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Ice Storm, power failures, home fires, apartment evacuation and underpass floods. CSL has been a leader in emergency measures for decades and is known across the region for its outstanding emergency services and readiness plans.

Currently, I am neck deep (and at times over my head) heading up communication efforts for the West-Central Montreal health authority, which includes the Jewish General Hospital as well as CSL’s Mount Sinai Hospital Centre, Maimonides and CLSC Rene Cassin. My team has been in crisis response mode for almost two weeks. More on that in another post.

Our all-volunteer EMS is unique throughout Quebec offering a 24/7 rapid response to medical emergencies. These life-saving volunteers are deserving of praise on ordinary days. What they are facing now, in keeping us safe, is nothing short of heroic.

Our volunteer Citizens on Patrol provides an extra layer of protection across the community. These 90 volunteers give us a sense of comfort and peace of mind as they circulate up and down every street in our city, watching over us and our property and acting as an early warning system to police, fire, ambulance, Hydro Quebec, public works and more.

Out of abundant concern for its older volunteers, many of whom are over 70 years old, the city has decided to halt this service for an indefinite period. This policy is unfortunate as there are still plenty of younger volunteers ready to do what is necessary and others in the community prepared to offer their time and to be trained to help their community in patrolling with vCOP. Our residents need to see these brightly identified patrollers, especially during times of crisis.

Fortunately, Public Security continues its patrols with professional agents around the clock.

The ill-advised and poorly communicated merger of police stations should be shelved for this year. Our populations and its leaders are poised in another direction and this is not the time for structural reorganization.

Emergency communications is a vital lifeline to our residents. CSL has a superb outbound calling platform that it has begun using during this crisis. The latest call from Mayor Brownstein succinctly and accurately describes the severity of the situation ordering snowbirds to stay home for 14 days and religious communities not to congregate at this time.

Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein warns seniors to “stay at home” on CBC National News

As well, the mayor’s continuous presence in local and national media and the city’s declaration of a State of Emergency (by video hook up of City Council) has helped to focus attention on crucial preparation procedures such as self-isolation and shuttering religious and retail facilities.

Beth Chabad Cote Saint-Luc shuttered, along with all religious other institutions

It will be vital to the overall health of each and everyone of us, those around us and all across the country to heed the warnings and to prepare. It’s not too late.

Toronto cop weighs in on “armed police for hire” debate

• By Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban
• Jun 5, 2019

Toronto police sergeant Lawrence Sager, Facebook

Toronto police sergeant Lawrence Sager weighed in regarding a Suburban report that Hampstead is pressing for local Montreal Torah Centre congregants to be able to hire armed off-duty SPVM police officers to provide security.

“Police Paid Duties have always been an extremely effective way to provide security to an event,” Sgt. Sager wrote on Facebook this past weekend. “Few would try and cause trouble with highly visible uniformed police officers present. The only pitfall is the cost.”

As we reported, Hampstead councillor Harvey Shaffer was told by the SPVM that the MTC congregants would not be allowed to hire officers. The SPVM declined to comment to The Suburban, when asked the reason for the refusal. Mayor William Steinberg is working on the matter as well, in light of recent shootings in synagogues in the U.S. and religious institutions around the world.

Sgt. Sager posted as part of a Facebook discussion on our article initiated by former Côte St. Luc councillor Glenn Nashen.

“Toronto Police have done paid duties at synagogues for many decades, as well as funerals and many other large private events,” the sergeant, who attended Wagar High School in Côte St. Luc, explained. “The paid duty office determines the number of officers required, depending on the venue and can also provide cruisers for funeral escorts.

“The drawback is that paid duty officers are quite expensive,” he added. “You get what you pay for. A police officer is armed, well trained, has other use of force options and is equipped with a police radio, in touch with the police dispatcher, capable of calling for immediate police backup without delay. We actually have difficulty filling all the paid duty requests due to manpower shortages.”

Nashen responded to Sager by saying that paid armed off-duty officers “would be a viable option in Montreal for those that can afford it. Unfortunately, the cost couldn’t be sustained by community organizations already struggling.”

Sgt. Sager further wrote that he does not know why Montreal police have not provided the service, “but I suspect it has to do with the Quebec Police Act.

“In Ontario, it’s called the Ontario Police Service Act and every province has its own laws governing what their police can do,” he wrote. “Toronto Police do paid duties in order to bolster our numbers rather than using on-duty officers and it’s allowed in Ontario.

Sgt. Sager also pointed out that the Toronto police’s 32 Division “has the largest Jewish community in Toronto with many synagogues.

“During the High Holidays, there were so many paid duties that they filled its own binder. Once no more could be given out because we ran out of officers to do them, they were offered to the rest of the service outside our division. …. Despite the high cost, there’s no shortage of requests and in many cases insurance companies require that paid duty officers be hired.

joel@thesuburban.com

New director takes control at CSL Public Safety

Philip Chateauvert

Philip Chateauvert is assuming command of the Cote Saint-Luc Public Safety Department. Public Safety includes five divisions of professional staff and volunteers: Public Security, Emergency Communications (Dispatch), Emergency Medical Services, volunteer Citizens on Patrol and Emergency Preparedness.

Chateauvert spent the last five years as manager of Public Safety. He takes over from Jordy Reichson who recently moved on after a 10 year run as Public Safety Director. Reichson was an energetic and creative leader in this field with a passion for matters of community and personal safety. He has taken on the responsibility of managing the security of all City of Montreal buildings and facilities.

Chateauvert has distinguished himself as an affable colleague of staff and volunteers. He is also very interested in teaching which he continues to do in the field of security management at two CEGEPs, La Cité collégial Ottawa and Gerald Godin in the West Island.

He also directed medical operations in various major events such as the Thriatlon International de Montréal and the Montreal Marathon.

Previously, Chateauvert had five years of experience as a security manager in various organizations such as the Port of Montreal, the École de Technologie Supérieure and the Société de la Place des Arts. Before that he was a firefighter.

I was fortunate to serve as City Councillor responsible for Public Safety from Chateauvert’s beginning in Cote Saint-Luc. He was an excellent addition to the city’s ranks who gained the respect and appreciation of his crews.

Philip Chateauvert

I recently asked Chateauvert what inspires him most about his job?

“Undoubtedly, to have the opportunity to have an even greater impact on our ability to help the community by making it safer,” he said. “Very few managers can say that as part of their work they have the opportunity to put in place policies and procedures that can save lives,” Chateauvert added proudly. “This is my greatest motivation.”

And what are Chateauvert’s highs and lows?

“Anytime I feel like I made a difference in someone else’s life is a great day for me. Lucky enough, this happens quite often in our line of work,” he said.

“However, facing the death and grief of our patients’ families is certainly the most difficult part to see,” said Chateauvert.

And what plans does Chateauvert have as he assumes control as director?

” I plan to continue to give my 110% to find ways to prevent even more crimes, save more lives and make Cote Saint-Luc an even safer place!”

I wish much luck and success to Director Philip Chateauvert.

CSL arsonists sets house, and himself, on fire, strips and flees in underwear

Man sought in Côte–St–Luc arson – Montreal Gazette Man sought in Côte–St–Luc arson … Police are on the lookout for an arsonist after a man set fire to a house in Côte–St–Luc Wednesday afternoon. Arsonist strikes in Cote St–Luc home – CTV News Arsonist leaves behind a pile of clues – CJAD

Hampstead pressing to enable armed off-duty police at synagogue

• By Joel Goldenberg The Suburban
• May 29, 2019

The Montreal Torah Centre in Hampstead. themtc.com

Hampstead is pressing to enable the congregants of the Montreal Torah Centre to be able to pay for armed off-duty police officers to provide security.

This, in light of recent synagogue shootings in the United States. As well, other religious institutions have been attacked around the world, including at a mosque in Quebec.

But Hampstead councillor Harvey Shaffer says the SPVM will not allow such officers to be hired.

“Many Hampstead residents, especially those who attend synagogue on a regular basis, were very concerned and somewhat alarmed about the problem of security at synagogues,” he explained. “In Hampstead, there are four synagogues. The one which receives the largest attendance is the Montreal Torah Centre.”

Shaffer added that in Ontario, synagogues can retain the services of off-duty, armed police officers, along with a police car, for as many hours as is required, “usually four hours.

“Due to the fact many congregants at MTC were concerned and sought that type of protection, I communicated with a ranking officer at police headquarters on St. Urbain and asked if it would be possible that the MTC be authorized to hire [two] armed, off-duty police officers and a police car for a little under four hours,” the councillor said. “I was told how much the rate would be if approved. Unfortunately, later that day, I was told the request was refused.”

Shaffer said he was told the request could only possibly be granted by the town going through Montreal city hall or having the issue publicized in the media.

“There seems to be no justification why we shouldn’t have it,” he added. “I wasn’t give a reason. It was simply refused.

Mayor William Steinberg agrees synagogues should be allowed to hire armed off-duty officers.

“I’m in favour of it — every synagogue hires unarmed guards, and it’s much better to have armed policemen. It’s obvious. I will investigate to see what the rules are and what I can do so that this can happen. When I sat on the [agglomeration’s] Public Security commission, I was aware that off-duty policemen were being hired in all kinds of situations. I’m not aware if they had guns or not, but they were being hired. Once I get more information, I will be advocating on behalf of this.

“We live in dangerous times and you want effective protection.”

We contacted the SPVM, which declined comment. Steinberg told us he is still working on the matter. Montreal Torah Centre officials have not responded by press time.

joel@thesuburban.com

Police Commander calls for calm in the wake of Cavendish stabbing incident: Cllr. Mike Cohen

Police Commander calls for calm in the wake of Cavendish stabbing incident by: Cllr. Mike Cohen Posted: 15 Feb 2019 06:09 PM PST Since last week’s stabbing incident at the Quartier Cavendish Cineplex Odeon Theatre, I have received many calls from frightened constituents.  A couple were reportedly  watching a movie when the wife asked a man behind her to stop smoking cannabis. He allegedly lunged towards her with a knife. The husband stepped in front and was stabbed in the leg. Five men were stopped by police in the parking lot, but released. Commander Oliveira “Our Sergeant on the scene interviewed them and they were not at all connected to the incident,” Commander Luis Oliveira told me. “There was no evidence to bring any of them in.” The Commander said none of the men smelled from cannabis either. “We have all of the information on each one of them in the event we need to communicate with them,” he said. According to the Commander this was an isolated incident and people do not need to panic. In the meantime officers from Police Station 9 have been doing foot patrols in the Quartier all  week and they will continue to do so. The socio community agents are meeting with the cinema management to establish proper procedures  for what to do when people light up, get into fights, etc.  As our City Manager Tanya Abramovitch righly told members of council today, “We at the city have the reflex to call  Public Security and/or the police, but they do not. Had such a procedure been in place, this likely would not have escalated in the way it did. The fact that what they were smoking was cannabis is not really relevant. They could have been smoking a cigarette and the same thing would have happened. ” I, like many people, often go this theatre. It is absolutely necessary for one staff member to routinely go in and out of each room to see if anyone is acting inappropriately and to take the proper action. How many times have any of us turned around in a movie theatre and, for instance, asked someone to be quiet. As the Commander told me, the perpetrator “was clearly someone  high on dope,” Côte Saint-Luc has the the second lowest crime rate on the island . The Commander said we can all can consider ourselves residing in a  a “safe” city.

Montreal adopts motion calling for ban on private ownership of handguns, assault weapons | CBC News

Bold move, long overdue. Canadians do not need handguns.

Let’s see Montreal suburbs pass the same resolution and add to the outcry. Contact your City Councillor as well as your MP.

 

Source: Montreal adopts motion calling for ban on private ownership of handguns, assault weapons | CBC News