Power cut nearly empties Westmount Square

It almost came down to the evacuation of a major apartment building.

Last Saturday at 6:37 p.m., during 32-degree heat topped with 80 per cent humidity, the power went out at 3 Westmount Square, near Ste. Catherine Street and Wood Avenue. “I’m sure with that type of building, the windows don’t open much — if at all,” said Westmount Public Security Captain Richard Bourdon. “There was an evacuation that was planned, but the problems were fixed in time.”

Public Security and the local fire department were called to the scene to aid the evacuation, had it been necessary. However, by 10:25 p.m., the defective cables inside the building that caused the power outage were fixed.

Westmount Public Security is starting their yearly campaign to remind residents that dogs must always be leashed in public areas. Not only that, but the leashes cannot be longer than six feet. “It’s often the same thing each spring, especially with new pet owners. They don’t know the rules,” said Bourdon. Starting June 14, he said, “our officers will educate people. For the first week, there will be prevention. After that they’ll be handing out fines.” The fines will cost pet owners $75.

Over the past week, public security officers gave out nine separate fines for drinking alcoholic beverages in the parks – four in Summit Park, one in King Georges Park, and another four in Westmount Park. “In Montreal parks there’s a tolerance for alcohol with picnics,” said Bourdon. “But in Westmount it’s not the case.”

He reminds residents that possession and consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Westmount parks and fines reach as high as $75.

It was around 3 a.m. on May 24 when Public Security received the call concerning a noise near King George Park. When PSO Robert Forbes and Sergeant Kim Colquhoun arrived on the scene on Cote St. Antoine Road, they found a gold Acura with a damaged front wheel. The car seemed to have hit the curb. “After a brief discussion with the driver,” said Bourdon, “it seemed (to PSO Forbes) that he was in an advanced state of inebriation.”

The officers called Station 12 police, who came and arrested the driver. “Thanks to the vigilance of our patrolling officers, a potentially dangerous driver was removed from the streets,” said Bourdon.

Public Security Officer Julie Noiret was well placed to help a pedestrian involved in a traffic accident. On May 23 at 5:30 p.m., she was in her Public Security vehicle when she heard brakes screeching and the sound of an impact.

She tuned to see a pedestrian laying on the ground. The victim had crossed against a 'don't walk' signal and was struck by a taxi turning onto Sherbrooke Street from Victoria Avenue. “Our patroller went to help and comfort the victim and ensured the scene was secured by three other public security vehicles,” said Bourdon. Police and ambulance were also called to the scene. He added that it was not an intersection where many accidents occurred and the pedestrian suffered only “very minor injuries. But there’s still the stress.”