Opinion: The trouble with the STM’s new ‘safety ambassadors’

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We query how they will steadiness the considerations of commuters with the wants of the unhoused within the Montreal métro.

Revealed Feb 22, 2024  •  3 minute learn

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Among the many crowds at métro stations, you’ll have lately famous a number of folks carrying distinctive blue shirts. Neither particular constables nor métro operators, these people are often called “security ambassadors.”

They’re a part of a Société de transport de Montréal (STM) program launched on Jan. 25. Skilled to offer buyer help and relay issues of safety to safety, the security ambassadors purpose to handle the rising unease of station-users. However precisely who among the many station-users are they prioritizing?

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As college students within the grasp of science in public well being program at McGill College, we’re involved the STM’s new security efforts will create additional hurt to unhoused station-users throughout a housing and opioid disaster.

A 2021 report discovered that just about 40 per cent of tickets issued lately by STM particular constables have been to unhoused folks. Not solely does ticketing discourage the existence of unhoused folks in and across the stations, however the monetary penalties sink these teams additional into poverty.

By including extra eyes and ears to métro stations, we’ll inevitably see a rise in interactions between weak folks and safety personnel. Not like police, these security ambassadors can’t subject tickets and are skilled to “examine in” with weak folks. Nonetheless, they may name for police assist if the state of affairs is past their capability. Even when most check-ins don’t finish with police intervention, each extra interplay that results in ticketing or arrest is one other alternative for hurt.

These security ambassadors are just one ingredient within the STM’s method. They’ve additionally employed social employees to answer particular crises in collaboration with the ambassadors and particular constables. Whereas we welcome the involvement of social employees, these combined squads adhere to the identical goal of defending fare income and the pursuits of métro customers. Latest analysis reveals that these combined squads intervene with the operations of road outreach teams not affiliated with the STM.

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As soon as unhoused people have been uncovered to regulation enforcement in assist settings, it turns into a problem to separate the sensation of being watched from the sensation of being helped. Consequently, these group organizations famous a drop in belief with their employees and decreased engagement of their companies.

Lastly, we query how the security ambassadors can steadiness the considerations of commuters with the wants of the unhoused. Ideally, people who’re unhoused will search assist by a shelter the place everlasting housing, counselling and assist are supplied. As an alternative, many shelters are resource-strapped and should flip folks away, notably within the winter months. And not using a heat, protected area to relaxation, the métro stays the one place for refuge.

What occurs if a commuter complains to security ambassadors about an individual utilizing medicine within the station? Primarily based on this system’s description, these ambassadors can direct folks to social assist companies. However the place else can they be referred to past what already exists and is deemed over-capacitated or unsafe?

With all different choices exhausted, these people will probably be directed to go away the station.

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The STM described its plan as a needed device for adapting to the social realities introduced on by the pandemic. Nonetheless, what is required are options, not adaptation. If the STM is invested in enhancing métro security, it ought to take motion to enhance the welfare of essentially the most at-risk station-users. It ought to consider the impression of the brand new program on perceptions of security — not only for commuters, however for many who are utilizing the station as shelter.

Past the STM, assets must be funnelled again into the group to put money into protected, secure and everlasting housing and addictions care to scale back the variety of weak folks compelled to relaxation in métro stations. Till we prioritize the wants of those marginalized communities, we’ll by no means obtain security within the stations.

Clare McGall, Danielle Duncan, Valerie Jeanneret and Holly Arscott are grasp of science in public well being (MScPH) college students at McGill College.

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