CHOMEDEY RESIDENTS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CRIME

Laval Police Launch Projet Cyclope To Counter Prostitution,
Drugs

In an effort to counter the growing phenomenon of prostitution and
drug dealing in Chomedey South, the Laval police have launched a
program that has proven quite successful in Montreal and Gatineau.

The Cyclope Program aims at countering prostitution solicitation and
harassment, which is quite bothersome to residents living in the area
delimited by Cure-Labelle, Perron, 75th Avenue and 80th Avenue in
Chomedey. Inspector Michel Pare says the police force became concerned
with the growing prostitution and drug problem in the area. "Many
citizens had signaled their discomfort towards the prostitution and
drugs that has existed in the area for more than 10 years, but which
has amplified over the past few years," he said. "We then looked at
ways to resolve this growing problem."

Insp. Pare explained that the program is threefold. The environment
deals with drug sales in the area while the prostitutes' aspect
revolves around the solicitation for sex. "In the past we have made
many arrests and raids to counter drug sales and have increased police
presence to discourage prostitution," he said. The third aspect deals
with the prostitution clients, also known as 'johns'. "No clients, no
prostitution," Insp. Pare points out. To efficiently reduce sex
solicitation in the area, residents will be asked to fill out an
Observation Report whenever they notice possible prostitution in the
area. Witnesses will be asked to report the description of the event,
the vehicle involved and of the driver.

This form is available on the City of Laval website or at the
neighbourhood police station.

Each form will be treated confidentially and an investigation will be
launched in each case.

With prostitution and drug sales having such a strong link in the
area, the Laval police also implemented a crime hotline known as
Info-Delit. This line, bearing the phone number (450) 662-5151, is
open to citizens who wish to report criminal activity they may have
witnessed in the area. It is important to remember that this hotline
does not replace emergency services and that citizens can leave
detailed messages, which will be followed-up by officers.

Police will also hold many activities in the area in an effort to meet
residents and to promote this project through promotional t-shirts,
bracelets and balloons. "We want to bring a feeling of belonging in
the area and to maintain a quality of life for all citizens," Insp.
Pare said, adding that targeted operations will continue.

Too little, too late

Longtime Chomedey resident Diane Saint-Onge applauded the program but
fears it comes at a point where the problem is beyond control.

Her family has lived next door to crack houses for years, and her
daughter, seven-year-old Marie-Jane accidentally pricked herself with
a syringe she had found on the ground near her home last March, which
highlighted the area's problems. Although several tests have confirmed
that little Marie-Jane did not contract a disease during the incident,
Saint-Onge no longer believes the area is safe. "For me, that incident
was the last drop, so we are moving to Vimont soon," she said.
"However, this project could do some good for the area, maybe people
will be less scared to send their kids to play outside, and being more
vigilant might also solve other problems. I hope they keep this up in
an effort to help people feel safe in their own home."

Julien Clusiau and Janick Bezau are consellors with L'Oasis, an
organization that works with the homeless and sometimes with
prostitutes. The pair voiced their shared opinions on this new
project. "At first we feared (the Observation Report) would isolate
them more," Clusiau said. "However we noticed that the initiatives are
geared towards the client, so we'll see how useful it will be." Both
added that this project might not prevent the migration of
prostitution into other neighbourhoods, as has often been seen in
Montreal. "If the client is scared, the prostitute will have fewer
customers, thus either isolate herself or move to other parts of town,
which isn't necessarily the best thing," Bezau warned.