Everatt makes Public Security captain

Everatt, who has served Westmount for the past 27 years, started on the force July 21, 1980 as a patrolman before becoming a patrol sergeant in 1986. His previous posting was as sergeant in charge of parking operations, in which he has served since the mid-90s.

“What keeps me going is that I have energy and I just really like my work. Westmount is a great city to work for. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time at the start of my career, and my hard work has helped me since then.

“I ask not what Westmount can do for me, but what I can do for Westmount.”



It’s snow trouble



Westmount residents beware – parking laws change when the snow comes down.

“When there’s snow removal, people need to make sure they move their cars. We towed 27 vehicles during the three-day cleanup from Jan. 16-18. That was our first major snowfall and our first major snow removal operation. People need to remember to check for the snow removal signage and follow the signs. They can also call City Hall or Public Security,” said Westmount Security Captain James Everatt.



Watch your bins!



“We were dispatched to an address at Strathcona during the week because there were newspapers and other papers flying all over the place coming out of an open recycling bin,” Everatt said.

“The containers do not have to be secured by law, nor the papers put in bags, but residents have to make sure they’re not making a huge mess. We met with the complainant and took some photos and we then contacted the owner who apologized and cleaned up.

“People should know there is a bylaw about making a mess all over the place. We could have given a $50 fine for it, but the resident cleaned up and we just gave them a warning.”



Graffiti can get expensive



The City of Westmount has seen its share of graffiti since the turn of the new year. It has calmed down of late, but still plaques the neighbourhood.

“There was quite an extensive bit of graffiti on the side of a garage roof on Victoria where the (taggers) climbed up and spray painted on the wall,” Everatt explained.

“The City is responsible to clean up or mask the graffiti. The costs of the work carried out and the cost of the products used, except when the paint is provided by the owner, is covered by the City of Westmount and it can get expensive.”

As for the time it takes to clean up a mess, Everatt said it can vary.

“If it’s extreme like something obscene, we’ll clean it up right away, otherwise it could take a week or so, depending on what else is going on and the location it’s in.”