Montreal police are now in charge of public security in the city's subway system as part of an effort to crack down on crime in the vast transit network stretching more than 60 kilometres.
Some of the priorities will be targeting street gangs and terrorism.
"A strong police presence makes people feel safe, and as well it makes them safer," Peter Lambrinakos, department chief for the police's metro section, told CTV Montreal.
As part of the new patrol, 132 police officers will be assigned to the platforms, the trains, and a unit will keep tabs on crime in the metro system.
Further, "We have two analysts and an intelligence agent and their main role is to basically analyze and coordinate so we can have a global picture of the criminality within the metro," said Lambrinakos.
Montreal police have been looking at ways to patrol the subway system for the last few years, in response to growing public concerns over safety. Many of Montreal's street gang members congregate in a number of the city's 65 subway stations.
Subway security officers did not have the power to arrest or carry guns, and had to call in police to intervene. Sixty-seven former subway security officers are being trained as police officers.
The Canadian Press reports that in 2005, there were 700 crimes, including assault, against people in the transit system. There were about 1,500 crimes against property, including graffiti.
"It's not a large number when you consider that more than 1.3 million (people) are using the transportation every day," Jean-Guy Gagnon, head of operations for the Montreal police department, told CP.
Authorities say with the threat of terrorism around the world, it didn't make sense to allow unarmed security guards to patrol the system.
"In our era, with what has happened internationally, I think we need to have all the tools in our favour to make sure we can prevent these acts," Claude Dauphin, Montreal's executive committee member in charge of public security, told CTV Montreal.
Mayor Gerald Tremblay said the police presence will reinforce security for passengers.
"We are turning an important page in the history of public transit in Montreal,'' Tremblay told a news conference. "This decision, which has been long awaited, is no doubt going to improve the quality of life for citizens."
In Vancouver, transit police were given the power in 2005 to carry guns and make arrests outside transit stations. In other cities such as Toronto, special constables patrol the system.
With reports from CTV Montreal's Tania Krywiak and the Canadian Press
