The City of Pointe-Claire’s Inspection – Public Security Department (ISP) was founded in March 1993. Its mandate is to serve the residents of Pointe-Claire, provide additional security at special events, enforce bylaws, be a visible presence in the community, and increase the quality of life for residents. Working in cooperation with the police, the fire department, Pointe-Claire's Volunteer Rescue Unit, and even the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec, Pointe-Claire's ISP can help residents handle everything from a question about parking to enforcing the limitations of a building permit or handling an emergency.
Marc Tanguay began his job as Director of the Inspection – Public Security in September 2018 after a distinguished 29-year career with Montreal's SPVM. Serving out of precincts all over the island, he worked in police intervention, field training, operational planning, traffic coordination, and community policing. Describing himself as "very community-oriented," Director Tanguay began his mandate by improving communications with the SPVM at Station 5 and the fire department at Fire Station 55 and is pleased with the increased level of interdepartmental cooperation.
The Patrol Unit runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. It is made up of approximately 20 members, using a fleet of both marked and unmarked vehicles, with the latter being used to discreetly supervise construction zones or areas of potential concern. The inspectors of ISP are trained in-house but are also hired because of their wide range of experience in different fields such as police technology programs, CEGEP programs in municipal patrol, and the CEGEP Montmorency program for emergency dispatchers. The inspectors wear grey uniforms and drive vehicles which differentiates them from police officers.
Tanguay stressed that 80% of the work of ISP inspectors is similar to that of police work which includes vehicle and foot patrols, enforcement of municipal bylaws such as parking infractions, assisting the police and fire departments on emergency calls, and taking reports and testifying in court when needed. ISP inspectors prefer to work with residents, merchants, and contractors to find sustainable solutions, rather than issue tickets. He said that "the Council designates the kind of public security they want." The community-oriented approach endeavours to create bonds with the population on a daily basis so that people feel comfortable communicating with ISP when they witness a problem or simply need some friendly advice.
The West Island Communication Centre is situated at ISP offices. A team of eight dispatchers works 24/7 to serve the communities of Pointe-Claire, Dorval, Kirkland, Baie D'Urfé, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Senneville, Montreal-West and the Borough of Ile Bizard – Ste-Geneviève. They offer a reassuring voice to over 100,000 of the island's citizens, helping people to live in safe and peaceful communities.
ISP is unique in that it has a dedicated inspection unit, helping to coordinate with the Urban Planning and Engineering departments to ensure that work is being carried out according to the permits and plans issued. Made up of five full-time inspectors and two summer students, this department verifies the work carried out on thousands of permits and certificates issued yearly. They verify everything from the installation of heat pumps, propane tanks, decks and sheds, to major renovation or building projects. They also make certain that the character of Pointe-Claire is maintained by ensuring that the architectural particularities are respected in specific parts of the city, especially the two villages.
Public Security is responsible for the safety of the municipal infrastructure including buildings, chalets, and parks. They enforce bylaws relating to dogs, including licenses, off-leash dogs, and animal attacks. ISP inspectors are present at city council meetings, participate in certain special events, can often be seen on foot patrol in parks and commercial sectors, and are present on a daily basis in school zones. Being on foot patrol allows the inspectors to bring what they learn to the city council; they do this by chatting with residents, merchants, parents, children, and others over the course of a day. Tanguay explains that "if we know something, we can be proactive."
Director Tanguay also acts as president of Pointe-Claire's traffic committee. Six times a year, members from Communications, ISP, Engineering, Public Works, Urban Planning, elected officials, and police from Station 5 discuss and evaluate traffic complaints to find viable solutions. The committee only has the power to make recommendations. It is the Pointe-Claire City Council that has the final say on whether actions are implemented. These actions must also conform to directives established by the Quebec Ministry of Transport – Tome V. Unfortunately, cities across Canada face the same issues such as speeding and reckless driving. We are constantly researching what is done in other locations worldwide to implement new ideas, but there are no miracle solutions. In the end, it is the person behind the steering wheel who must take responsibility for respecting the rules of the road. This also applies to cyclists and pedestrians.
To help raise awareness of the number one complaint – speeding – the city has eight mobile radar units as well as 26 fixed radar signs installed around the territory. It is important to mention that ISP inspectors are not mandated by law to intercept or sanction drivers for moving infractions such as speeding, running stop signs or red lights, reckless driving in school zones or parks, or not respecting crosswalks; these infractions must be reported to the police at Station 5.
Tanguay spoke proudly about overseeing the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit (PCVRU), an organization with a 72-year history of providing various emergency services. Comprised of over 30 volunteers, they help support ISP by providing first responders for special events, performing search and rescue operations, and helping residents when natural disasters strike. The PCVRU can be summoned to support the personnel of ISP in case of emergency, increasing the number of people available to respond from 40 in ISP to 70 highly trained individuals.
When asked what he felt was the most important thing for Pointe-Claire residents to know about Pointe-Claire's Inspection – Public Security Department, Marc Tanguay couldn't keep the earnestness out of his voice. "We're there to assist the citizens. We want people to call us right away. We can always send someone to investigate." Taking enormous pride in what he and his team offer, Director Tanguay wants residents to know that they can come to ISP offices or call at any time to report a concern, ask a question, or discuss their ideas on how they feel the community could be better served.
Pointe-Claire's Inspection – Public Security Department can be reached by telephone at 514-630-1234 or by email at secpub@pointe-claire.ca. Find out more at https://www.pointe-claire.ca/en/inspection-public-security/.