Commuters, residents worry about safety in Dorval following stabbing

Some residents in Dorval are concerned about safety, in particular after a double stabbing at a local train station.

At the Dorval bus terminus, transit users will say they don’t always feel safe.

Just metres away, the nearby Dorval train station was the scene of a double stabbing on Friday.

There are security concerns in Dorval’s transit area that also includes tunnels for commuters to use. Dorval Mayor Marc Doret says crime has decreased in his city in recent years.

“We as a community can maybe do other things. We’ve talked about more public security in Dorval,” Doret said. “There’s a cost to our residents, but maybe that’s where we have to go.”

Next to the Dorval train station is a warming space run by AJOI, a West Island outreach organization. It’s a necessary resource, says AJOI’s executive director.

“The needs were growing in that area, but not only in that area, everywhere in the West Island there’s a need for more services,” Tania Charron said.

She adds that safety and security is a shared issue with the city and police. AJOI will put more resources into the warming station.

“The additional resources will be an additional outreach street worker for Dorval and additional staff at the station,” Charron said.

When talking about the warming station, Doret said: “Do we have to rethink it?”

“I don’t think we have to rethink it,” Doret said. “Could we do things differently and speak with our partners? Absolutely, we can have that discussion.”

One transit user told CTV News they don’t worry for their own safety, but rather those of vulnerable people in the area.

In a statement Montreal police say they conduct patrols of the area day and night.

“The incident that occurred last Friday is considered an isolated incident,” police said. “At this point, no station users or local residents have been victim of similar violent incidents. We recognize, however, that certain acts of incivility can contribute to a perception of insecurity, and we take these concerns very seriously.”