STM deploys more police, social workers, surveillance cameras for winter safety push
The transit authority and city announced a suite of security measures Tuesday including expanded patrols, social worker teams, and extended surveillance ahead of the cold months.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montreal's transit authority will deploy more police officers, add social worker teams, and upgrade surveillance cameras across the metro this winter in a coordinated security push announced Tuesday by the STM and City of Montreal.
The city will deploy a dozen SPVM officers to patrol the network and has tripled the number of officers assigned to the metro intervention and coordination team. Coverage will increase during evenings and winter months. The STM hired Martin Prud'homme, the former Sûreté du Québec chief, as security lead earlier this month.
Two social worker teams—each consisting of social workers, a security officer, and a supervisor—will operate during winter months to support vulnerable individuals. The STM also extended its anti-loitering ban until spring 2027; the move-along order, which prohibits people from being stationary in stations, was first introduced in March 2025 after a spike in safety incidents.
Aref Salem, STM board chair, said the goal is to "continue increasing ridership on the metro" by improving "passengers' sense of safety on the system." Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada emphasized that the approach aims to be "respectful for people that are in a vulnerable position," noting that warming centres operating 24/7 across the city are part of a broader strategy.
The city also plans to increase metro service frequency by 5 per cent next fall to reduce wait times in evenings. STM ridership stood at 294.1 million in 2025, down from 314.6 million in 2024 and 374.9 million in 2019.
What specific training will social worker teams receive for metro environments?
Why extend the anti-loitering ban to spring 2027 rather than review its effectiveness first?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many SPVM officers will patrol the Montreal metro?
A dozen SPVM officers will patrol the network, with the number assigned to the metro intervention and coordination team tripled.
When will the STM's anti-loitering ban expire?
The anti-loitering ban will remain in effect until spring 2027. The move-along order was first introduced in March 2025.
How many social worker teams will operate during winter?
Two social worker teams will operate during winter months, each consisting of social workers, a security officer, and a supervisor to support vulnerable individuals.
How much will metro service frequency increase?
The city plans to increase metro service frequency by 5 per cent next fall to reduce wait times in evenings.
