Private security guards to patrol Montreal’s Chinatown, Village amid safety concerns [Video]

The city is enlisting private security guards to patrol Chinatown, the Village, and Old Montreal as part of a new strategy to tackle crime.

Phil Chu has lived in Chinatown for 11 years but now, he says he’s going to move his family out because crime has crossed a line.

“In broad daylight, drug transactions, [drug] consumption, public defecation, lewd acts — you name it and it’s pretty common now,” said Chu, president of an association of Chinatown residents.

The Ville-Marie borough is turning to security guards from private company Sirco to support Montreal police (SPVM) in neighbourhoods with more crime.

It’s in response to complaints by people like Chu, says city councillor Robert Beaudry.

“It’s for the visibility, for the feeling of security, but [also] to help acquire data,” Beaudry said.

• Survey confirms Montreal residents still feel unsafe going to the Village

The $120,000 pilot project was launched in …