Barbed wire “not allowed downtown”
Following a story earlier this month about barbed wire being added to some downtown properties to deter the homeless, Le Devoir inquired into the law, and finds that it’s not strictly legal in Ville‑Marie. Note from the photo that we’re not talking about great tangles of military‑style razor wire, but a few rows at the top of a standard chain link fence.
The article spends several paragraphs on a moment from ten years ago when Archambault added anti‑homeless spikes on its sidewalk window ledges. This is an entirely different matter. Preventing people from merely sitting down is not the same as adding measures to deter people from climbing an already existing (and legal) fence.
Ephraim 14:10 on 2024-09-29 Permalink
Would we be happier if they did it the way they do it in some countries and embed broken bottles at the top of walls and fences?
Ian 19:02 on 2024-09-29 Permalink
“Some countries” I’ve seen this in Mile End alleys, I’ve also seen barbed wire topping alley fences… anyone have some pearls I could clutch? I appear to have misplaced mine.
Ephraim 22:16 on 2024-09-29 Permalink
Never seen it in Montreal… but then again, I don’t often go into alleys, other than the one behind my place. Which is mostly buildings.
Kate 06:03 on 2024-10-01 Permalink
I do a lot of walking in alleys. No barbed wire in evidence in residential areas, but it would not surprise me downtown, especially behind shops with expensive stock.
Orr 17:49 on 2024-10-03 Permalink
While sitting at a window at the back of the grande bibliothèque I watched a person climb over fences in the alley to collect cans and bottles for recycling. From bars and restaurants!