Security issue forces Parc-extension police station to move

A security issue with the building on Beaumont Ave. that houses Station 33 in Parc-extension has forced the police to temporarily move out of the area starting Monday, sources tell the Montreal Gazette.

It’s unclear where the station will permanently move to, but for now officers and staff will be moved to Station 31 near Jarry Park, two kilometres away.

Some of Station 33’s police will be housed in Station 26 on Mountain Sights Ave. in Côte-des-neiges until the department can find a new building to lease.

Unlike the recent decision by Montreal police to merge Station 11 in Notre-dame-de- Grâce with Station 9 in Côte-st-luc, this wasn’t part of a departmental strategy.

“Sad to see another neighbourhood lose their police station without the input of the local community,” said Côte-des-neiges— Notre-dame-de-grâce borough mayor Sue Montgomery, who has strongly opposed the closing of Station 11 in her borough.

The decision to move the station was made without consultation but there were extenuating circumstances, according to city councillor Rosannie Filato, of Projet Montréal.

“The requirement for renewal of a lease having not been met, we had no other choice but to quickly move the personnel of (Station 33) from Parc-extension,” Filato said in a statement sent to the Montreal Gazette.

“The police officers will continue to patrol the sector . ... The city of Montreal is already looking for a building which will answer the needs of the police and the population.”

Local police commanders informed city councillors of the decision to move the station in a meeting on Monday.