Saint-Henri banding together after string of violent attacks

A string of attacks in the Montreal's Saint-Henri neighbourhood have shaken residents and prompted grassroots solutions to stay safe, ranging from buddy systems to self-defence classes.

In the past week, reports of violent incidents began circulating on social media, spiking safety concerns among residents.

Outrage peaked with news that a young man, André Hobson, was brutally beaten by about five men the night of Dec. 1 until bystanders intervened.

The assailants did not appear to want anything, except to cause the 22-year-old serious bodily harm.

Police confirmed that in the days that followed, two more people were beaten and robbed. These assaults all happened on or near Notre-Dame Street West, the main thoroughfare in Saint-Henri.

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Free self-defence training

As first-person accounts of attacks spread online, Joshua Harley, co-owner of Tritton Performance/Harley Muay Thai gym in the Southwest offered residents free self-defence classes so they would feel more confident in their own neighbourhood.

Harley said he was overwhelmed by the response his offer received.

"It really just exploded like a wildfire," Harley told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

He said his offer of free self-defence training isn't meant to make people feel that they should fight groups of people if they are being attacked.

Harley said people should run before they consider fighting, but added, "knowing how to defend yourself against five people is better than not knowing how to defend yourself against five people." 

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Buddy systems and apps

Sophia Oumzil, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 13 years and never felt unsafe before these attacks, told Daybreak she was walking alone at night recently and noticed she wasn't the only woman doing so. 

In the Saint-Henri Facebook group, people have been sharing stories of buddying up to walk home from Place St-Henri Metro.Others are offering to carpool with residents.

For residents who can't find a buddy to walk home with from the Metro, the community is encouraging residents to download an app called Companion, which notifies friends or the police when the user is in danger.

Borough works to find solutions

Southwest Coun. Craig Sauvé said extra resources have been put into safety because police want to make an arrest in the recent string of attacks, especially if they are linked.

He said he wants to make sure people feel safe in their neighbourhood because of how being insecure "attacks someone's quality of life."

Sauvé added that he would like to see areas of Saint-Henri be better lit. It's something the borough wants to work with the community to re-evaluate.

Sauvé organized a community forum on the topic in November but says only one person attended.

A much larger group is expected at Tuesday's borough council meeting at 7 p.m.

A representative from the local police station will be in attendance to hear citizens's concerns.