In response to public safety concerns in Montreal’s Chinatown, the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) launched a pilot project encouraging people to report crime in the area.
CRARR is working alongside Chinatown residents, workers, and merchants, to increase public safety, economic vitality, and the quality of life in the district.
According to residents and community leaders, they say they’ve seen an increase of violence, drug trafficking, harassment, and vandalism in the area.
Residents also claim there has been an influx of homeless encampments around Complexe Guy-Favreau, as well as others in Chinatown, which they say could cause more problems.
The pilot project was made in partnership with the Employment and Social Development Canada (Canada Summer Jobs Program), the Chinese Association of Montreal, the Montreal Chinatown Economic Development Council, and local businesses.
Representatives of the Chinese community associations and Chinatown residents spoke at press conference to launch the project on Thursday – and share their experiences and concerns.
In addition, Montreal police (SPVM) set up a booth with a Mandarin recruitment agent to meet with Chinatown residents on Thursday at Sun-Yat Sen park until 12:30 p.m.
Asian Heritage Month started May 1, and will end on Friday.
