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.
Former Cote Saint-Luc Public Security officer Jean-Noel Champagne
Jean-Noel Champagne was a very familiar face to anyone who lived or worked in Cote Saint-Luc ten or twenty years ago. He was known by his simple first name, “Johnny”, to many residents. But most knew him as “Elvis”, thanks to his iconic sideburns and for his occasional and exclusive performances on stage as “The King of Rock and Roll”.
Sadly, Jean-Noel passed away yesterday.
Champagne was employed with the City of Cote Saint-Luc as a Public Security officer for 31 years. At the beginning of his career he was on contract with the city, employed by Pinkerton Security and subsequently Unique Security. Cote Saint-Luc, Hampstead and Montreal West Public Security officers were absorbed into the Borough’s staff at the time of the municipal mergers in 2002, and Johnny remained as city staff after demerger in 2006.
As a bylaw enforcement officer Johnny was an extraordinary ambassador of goodwill and neighbourliness. He prefered to enforce through friendly dialogue and education. Johnny was well-known for his ability to neutralize stressful situations through his calm approach. He helped to train many rookies in this style of customer service and respectful dialogue. This helped make him a very likable character to residents, police officers, staff and volunteers.
Having spent so many years in this city, Johnny described the residents as ‘wonderful people’. “The residents, the parks, the city, are all magnificent here,” he said to me in my last interview with him in 2012. “I too have lived here for 12 years,” Champagne beamed with great pride. “The residents are warm and welcoming. I love this city.”
Johnny will be missed by all those he touched in Cote Saint-Luc.
In the last few years I bumped into him in Sainte-Agathe. We gave a warm embrace and shared some laughs as we reminisced about the past. He still held Cote Saint-Luc and its residents in his heart, as an integral part of his soul.
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Current Public Security Officer Antonio LaBattaglia said, “It is a very sad day for me and probably every resident of Cote Saint Luc today. The King Johnny “Elvis “Champagne passed away last night. I had the pleasure of working with this wonderful man for many years. He was always happy and just a fun guy to be around. I will surely miss you my brother. Keep watch up there and give them all a show. May you R.I.P.”
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Former Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette expressed his sad regrets upon learning of Johnny’s passing while volunteer Citizen on Patrol member Fred Golt said, ” I will miss running into his smile in the Laurentians. #TheKing RIP.” Longtime resident and EMS volunteer Joy Rodgers remembered Johnny throughout his years as a watchful protector whom she grew so fond of. “We lost a legend. Keep watching over our city, which was such a huge part of your life,” Joy said.
Former Assistant City Manager Remi Lafreniere said, “RIP old friend, you gave many people great joy.” And Councillor Dida Berku reached out to the family on Facebook and wrote, “Chère famille nos plus sincères condoléances…Johnny faisait partie de notre grande famille à la ville de Côte Saint Luc…. Johnny was much much more than public security he was our go to guy. The one who could talk to kids in the park before calling the police, or help seniors with their groceries. The one who had the human touch of kindness and understanding. And he even sang at my daughter’s wedding! We will miss Johnny Champagne. To know him was to love him. Thank you Johnny forever in our hearts.”
Longtime community police officer Vincent De Angelis wrote,”Une des plus sympathiques personnes que j’ai rencontré durant ma carrière à Côte-Luc…always with a smile..we gonna miss you.”
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Cote Saint-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein wrote, “Our beloved Elvis, Johnny Champagne has left us. He made us all smile and feel great. You knew you were being taken care of when Johnny was around. He was a superstar of a human being. Everyone loved Johnny. He touched us all in a way that taught us how to be kinder, giving, and loving. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Mes sincères sympathies à sa fille Josée Champagne et sa petite-fille Marie Chenier, à toute sa famille, ses frères de la Sécurité publique et tous ses nombreux amis.
Johnny Elvis Champagne will forever live in our hearts and in our memory.
35 year veteran of CSL, Public Security Agent Jean-Noel “Elvis” Champagne, accepts his encased badge upon his retirement, Canada Day 2015
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.
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.
A group of kids took part in a day camp put on by the Longueuil police this week, where they got to learn about police work. (CBC)
What a novel idea in summer programming for kids. Sign up a group of pre-teens and expose them to first responders: police, fire, EMS, ambulance, public security and volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Teach them essential skills and expose them to these critical and life-saving services. Excite, inspire and educate them.
Would such a program be possible in Cote Saint-Luc and suburban Montreal municipalities? Would you sign up your pre-teen?
Jerusalem’s United Hatzalah (Rescue Squad) founder Eli Beer spoke to a crowd in Montreal yesterday and was invited to visit Cote Saint-Luc Emergency Medical Services. The United Hatzalah is an incredible program, all volunteer driven, with a singular focus on rapid, first-response to anyone in need. Its mission and purpose is very similar to that of Cote Saint-Luc. Despite difference in size and sophistication, Beer will undoubtedly find many similarities between his group and the outstanding, all-volunteer CSL EMS. Indeed, we have much that we can learn from Beer. Here are 4 key points we should explore.
EMS volunteers (Class of 2013)
#1 Volunteers
Despite CSL’s speed in responding to its 3000 medical emergencies each year, a three-minute average response time is excellent but we should always look for ways to cut seconds when lives are at stake. I have proposed that local, off-duty-EMS volunteers be alerted of life-threatening calls, and equipped, to respond when in close proximity.
What’s more, with an auxiliary force of 80 additional members of the volunteer Citizens on Patrol, some of them (say 20) could be trained at a basic first-responder level. They too are already available, on and off duty, and nearby.
And greater adoption of citizen CPR is crucial.
#2 Transportation
CSL EMS is not an ambulance service. It is a first-responder service. As such, it must rapidly access those calling 911. It should have a fleet of smaller, faster vehicles – not heavy and very expensive ambulances. To complement its lighter, quicker vehicles, a single ambulance would suffice for full protection from the outside elements during severe weather or at large events.
Hatzalah has a fleet of scooters to get around its congested urban centres. CSL already has a fleet of electric scooters for vCOP. Why not integrate these resources, with qualified members, for quicker response when they’re already on the road or when EMS is unavailable?
vCOP patrols the park on electric scooter (Canada Day 2017)
#3 Technology
Hatzalah has uses Israeli technology pushed out via an app for its members. Such technology is now widely accessible to anyone on their mobile devices. CSL should embrace this technology by outfitting all of its EMS and qualified vCOP members so that the closest crews can respond even faster to life-threatening emergencies while EMS and Urgences Santé ambulance are en route. Again, these extra responders are even more critical when EMS first-responders are tied up on other calls and unable to respond to a life-threatening emergency.
#4 Policy
CSL operates under rules and regulations established by higher levels of authority. These rules need to be updated to take into account the local realities of CSL EMS volunteers. Medical responders ought to be granted tax credits toward their training and equipment expenses. Also, the SAAQ has developed regulations in the last few years that allow volunteer firefighters unique privileges in responding to (medical) emergencies in their own vehicles. Despite numerous evidence-based presentations by CSL, the Quebec automobile insurance board refuses to recognize the unique nature of CSL EMS volunteers, who are better trained to deal with medical calls than firefighters. Updating policies and removing bureaucratic obstacles will help save even more lives.
There is no doubt that Cote Saint-Luc is a leader in community-based emergency medical services. Its program is one-of-a-kind in Quebec and it is a proven, life-saving organization. Adopting new ways of expanding its resources, exploring new rapid-response vehicles , embracing mobile technology and updating policies will bring this organization to a whole new level.
Des décennies d’expérience comme bénévole aux services d’urgence, dirigeant professionnellement les préparatifs dans des situations de désastres à l’Hôpital général juif, 18 ans à Urgence Sante…Votre sécurité est ma préoccupation première.
À titre de conseiller responsable de la protection civile, j’ai dirigé le comité des services d’urgence de la ville qui gère les SMU, la sécurité publique et les mesures d’urgence et qui assure également la liaison avec les services de police et d’incendie. J’ai lancé à CSL le premier programme au Québec de Citoyens en patrouille. Aujourd’hui, je dirige 90 bénévoles qui patrouillent notre ville et nos parcs, jour et nuit. J’ai assumé un rôle de leadership dans la planification des mesures d’urgences lors d’importantes inondations, d’incendies graves dans bien d’autres cas urgents. Avec trente cinq ans d’implication auprès des services d’urgence de CSL, je suis la personne la mieux qualifiée pour vous représenter durant les moments éprouvants.
EXPERIENCE IN KEEPING YOU SAFE:
Your safety at home and around CSL has been my priority. With decades of experience as a leader in Emergency Medical Services and founder of volunteer Citizens On Patrol, championing Public Safety and Disaster Readiness, Police, Fire and Ambulance issues and overseeing emergency measures at the Jewish General Hospital I have ensured that CSL is the safest place on the Island of Montreal. My focus is on your safety.
I was there for you during major emergencies including the Ice Storm and am always preparing the city for the next disaster. Recognized by the Governor General with over 35 years of involvement in CSL emergency services I am the most qualified to represent you at the most challenging of times.
City crews preparing to remove branches from trees that came down on Hudson north of CSL Rd.
The storm earlier today created havoc across many parts of Quebec. Areas hardest hit include the West End. Large trees, some over 200 years old were uprooted in NDG following the worst part of the storm that lasted one or two minutes.
In Cote Saint-Luc, many residents are still without power as midnight approaches. Many trees were knocked down.
I did a late night loop around Cote Saint-Luc to survey the situation and saw several Hydro Quebec crews working to restore power and city staff and volunteers ensuring our safety.
Councillor Steven Erdelyi said, “I was driving through my district and saw teams from Public Works, Public Security, vCOP and EMS out keeping the residents safe.”
“I saw our teams working in conjunction with Hydro, vCOP ensuring that streets were blocked off, crews removing trees and branches, foremen leading HQ to the site of downed lines and speaking to and reassuring residents. I saw Public Security agents putting flares down at key intersections to provide some light and EMS crews supporting the fire department to help frail residents going to their apartments on upper floors,” Erdelyi said.
Trees down on Hudson north of CSL Rd.
“A special thank you to John, Thierry, Laurence, Claude and Jordy (all of whom I saw in action tonight) for all your hard work and dedication,” Erdelyi added.
Said Mayor Brownstein, “Thank you all. You are truly amazing and appreciated very much. You all make us very proud. I have been receiving compliments for your great work by email from residents all evening.”
CSL has issued an overnight parking tolerance across the city due to ongoing power failures.
The CSL Tennis Club will be closed Wednesday as the power lines are down and some fences have been damaged.
The Cote Saint-Luc Public Safety department is very proud to have two of its members named as the city’s Employee of the Month in the first six months since the program was launched.
Dispatcher Vlad Rudakov won the prize in February, and July, Public Security agent Ivan Miller was named Employee of the Month for July.
What is most astonishing about Ivan’s nomination is that it came from the public. Two residents who saw
Ivan in action took the time to call and let us know about his tact, professionalism and dedication to the
city and its citizens. Congratulations Ivan!
Speed trailers deployed
The nice weather brings tons of kids out onto the streets to play with friends, ride their bikes and enjoy
summer. Unfortunately, some motorists find it is also an opportunity to develop a heavy foot and speed
on our residential streets where kids play. Always focused on the safety of our residents, our two portable
radar trailers have been deployed all month to remind motorists to slow down and respect the speed
limits. Look for these trailers on our streets until the first snow falls.
CSL Public Safety agent Ivan Miller recognized as Employee of the Month
There are reports across Canada including the Island of Montreal of thieves breaking into cars parked on driveways and using the garage door openers to access the home.
Please do not leave your garage door opener remote in your car when you park outside your home. Instead please get into the habit of bringing it inside with you. You can even buy small remotes that fit on a keychain to replace the one on your visor.
Every month Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Citizens on Patrol crews alert 20 or more residents that they have left their garage door open. Be sure to close yours.
Finally, remember to always close your garage when you’re not there and lock the door leading from your garage to your home. If you’re going away, consider disconnecting your automatic garage door opener from the power outlet.
Côte Saint-Luc is the safest city on the island with patrollers by police, Côte Saint-Luc Public Security, and volunteer Citizens on Patrol. Let’s keep it that way by making it harder on thieves.
If you notice any suspicious activity call 9-1-1 immediately.
Bnai Brith senior leadership present a certificate recognizing Cote Saint-Luc’s Public Safety and Police efforts
“I am honoured to present a B’nai Brith Certificate of Recognition to the City of Cote Saint-Luc at the City Council meeting for their fight against racism, antisemitism and discrimination,” said Quebec Region Director Harvey Levine at last Monday night’s public council meeting.
Levine, brother of CSL Councillor Allan J. Levine, was accompanied by BBC leaders Eric Bissell and Ted Greenfield and made the presentation to Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and me, Police Commander Jean O’Malley, Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson and senior officers of the CSL volunteer Citizens on Patrol group.
The citation was a result of the B’nai Brith Canada and the League for Human Rights Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. The Audit has been conducted every year since 1982, and is the result of close cooperation with the public, local police forces and other community organizations across the country. The Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents is more than just a snapshot of the intensity of incidents against the Jewish community; it serves as the barometer of the level of racism in Canada as a whole.
Levine stated that Cote Saint-Luc is the second largest Jewish community in Canada, after Thornhill, Ontario. Remarkably, Cote Saint-Luc did not register a single anti-semitic act in 2016, out of the 1728 incidents reported across Canada. Levine, singled out Cote Saint-Luc Public Security and vCOP along with Police Station 9 for their vigilance, surveillance and prevention work.
Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Harvey Levine congratulated me for my leadership in Public Safety in Cote Saint-Luc, namely in creating and leading the vCOP group. This presentation was a total surprise and a great honour for me. I salute all of the great volunteers in vCOP along with the professionals in Public Security and Montreal Police Station 9. Thank you to our mayor, council and administration for their continued support of my public safety ideas and initiatives. And my utmost respect and appreciation goes to Harvey Levine and B’nai Brith Canada for their outstanding work on behalf of all Canadians.
Montrealers were rightly miffed knowing that hundreds of fellow urbanites were stranded overnight on a snowbound Autoroute 13 a few months ago. How could this happen in 2017, we asked? I ask, could such a fiasco, on a very local scale happen in Cote Saint-Luc?
On Autoroute 13 all signs point to a major breakdown in frontline coordination, in communications between agencies, in preparation (see Gazette article link below).
I have dedicated my civic life to public safety, in Cote Saint-Luc (and across Quebec), with a goal of making our municipality the safest place around. I began early, back in high school and CEGEP, at training in matters of safety, joining St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Ski Patrol, CSL Emergency Measures Organization and the local ambulance system. Eventually I worked my way up to overseeing public safety and emergency preparedness at the local political level.
Since that time, Cote Saint-Luc has taken matters of safety very seriously, investing in training, leadership, volunteers and citizens, in equipment and services. This deliberate and systematic nurturing of a communal culture of safety has proven effective time and again.
I was active and on duty during the major flood in the late 80s, fire evacuation in the early 90s, Ice Storm of the Century in the late 90s, Y2K, more floods, heat waves, snow emergencies, barricaded shooter, downed trees and wires, gas leaks, car crashes, missing persons, bottled water distribution… And time and again Cote Saint-Luc has proven to be a model municipality, able to effectively and quickly organize, coordinate, alleviate, sustain, recuperate…
This is no accident. We have built a corps of dedicated, life-saving volunteers in EMS over the last 50 years. We have trained over 90 volunteers as our volunteer Citizens on Patrol over the last decade. We have built a professional Public Security Department to watch over our city 24/7. We have an emergency dispatch centre and a first-class Emergency Preparedness Plan. We keep it up to date and we test it. We’ve saved our local police station more than once to ensure close proximity to, and coordination with the authorities in crime prevention and emergency response. We built a leading firefighting and prevention department (that was taken over by Montreal in 2002). We coordinate with all levels of government. We meet regularly. We practice. We keep our citizenry informed, trained, engaged.
As a ringleader in public safety I take great pride in what we’ve accomplished and look forward to continuing to make our city the safest it can be. I’ve worked alongside many fine people along the way and they all share in this great achievement. Thank you to my council-partner-in-safety Ruth Kovac and to Bryan Payne and the late Norm Adler of EMO, to Frank Albert and the late Doug Lion of the CSL Fire Department, to Hal Newman, Rick Liebman, Stephan Kallos and Jordy Reichson of EMS, to the immeasurable dedication of our EMS volunteers including Patti-Beth Lietman, Neil Michaels, Erwin Luden, Brian Goldberg, Michael Glazer, the Sager boys (and so many more wonderful people I wish I could name all here) and vCOP volunteers including Mitchell Herf, Lewis Cohen, Susie Schwartz, Elaine Meunier, Bert Rabinovitch, Phil Mayman, Morris Stelcner, David Goldsmith, Murray Genis (and again the list of marvelous dedicated volunteers, past and present goes on and on and I thank you all immensely). And finally, thanks to our City Council for its support for my vision and all we have accomplished together. (I know I inadvertently missed some important names who’ve contributed to making CSL a safer place. Please add them in comments).
We are well prepared, trained and ready. And we are always striving to learn more, to be better. We’re all in this together.
Next week is EMS Week across Canada. I take this opportunity to salute all of our dedicated volunteers in Cote Saint-Luc along with all the paramedic professionals who serve our community.
SQ officers and safety crews try to clear up Highway 13 near Côte-de-Liesse Rd. March 15, 2017, following massive snow storm that left many motorists stranded overnight.PIERRE OBENDRAUF / MONTREAL GAZETTE
him. Thank you Johnny forever in our hearts.”
Nashen Notes 
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