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The city of Montreal is deploying a hotline it hopes will help curb armed violence in the city.
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Called RENFORT, the support service is free and confidential. Users can call 514-653-6363; operators will be available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 1 to 5 p.m., in seven languages.
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“Parents who feel powerless in the face of violent situations their children may be experiencing now have a phone service where specialists respond to them without judgment,” Mayor Valérie Plante said in a statement.
“It’s very important to us that they can be listened to, advised or referred to the many services and resources that exist in the metropolis.”
The initiative is one of the commitments made by the city at last year’s forum on armed violence.
The third project to be implemented since the forum, the hotline will be financed from a $3-million envelope dedicated to funding projects set up by and for young Montrealers. It was developed with the Centre de prévention de la radicalisation menant à la violence.
“This initiative will support Montreal families and help strengthen their sense of security, while building a more cohesive city,” explained Josefina Blanco, Montreal’s executive committee member responsible for diversity, social inclusion and homelessness.
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The project comes as the city’s police department says it has managed to slow the number of gun-related incidents in recent months.
Two weeks ago, Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher announced that in the first five months of 2023, firearm discharges, attempted murders and homicides involving firearms were down 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Between January and May 31, the police department recorded 40 events in which at least one gunshot was fired. Those included three homicides and 16 attempted murders.
The number of firearms seized by police has increased. Since the beginning of the year, police have seized 367 firearms, 107 more than this time last year.
Given the young age of many of those arrested on firearm-related charges in recent months, Dagher also said he hopes to increase prevention measures to address youth violence.
More information about the new hotline can be found at ligne-renfort.org.
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