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The mayor of Ormstown, Que., a small town southwest of Montreal, is demanding more police officers and concrete action from the province after a series of fires targeting restaurants left residents and business owners fearing for their safety.
Ormstown Mayor Philippe Besombes met with Quebec’s Domestic Security Minister Guy Jr. Lapointe and senior provincial police officials Monday morning, a day after a fire destroyed a local pizzeria in the municipality over the weekend.
“People are in shock,” Besombes said on Monday. “They’re very concerned, and so am I.”
The town has a population of less than 4,000 residents, according to the last federal census numbers from 2021.
The mayor said four fires have targeted restaurants in Ormstown in recent months, two of which caused extensive damage. A fifth suspicious fire was reported elsewhere in the region.
WATCH | Quebec’s domestic security minister visits small town after 4th suspected arson:
4th suspected arson prompts visit from domestic security minister in Ormstown, Que.
The small town of about 4,000 people south of Montreal is growing more concerned over a string of suspicious fires targeting local restaurants. Domestic Security Minister Guy Lapointe Jr. says provincial police will propose a plan to the mayor of Ormstown, Que.’We need action,’ says mayor
Besombes said he has already met with the provincial police three times in recent weeks but believes the municipality needs a much stronger police presence, particularly downtown.
“Enough talking, we need action,” he said, describing the message he delivered to officials during Monday’s meeting.
According to the mayor, four provincial police officers in two patrol cars cover the 13 municipalities of the Haut-Saint-Laurent region overnight.
He said that level of policing may be sufficient under normal circumstances, but not given the recent string of suspected cases of arson.
“We need more police presence, during the day and at night,” he said. “We need a much stronger police presence downtown than what we have right now.”
Besombes said officials promised to present him with a concrete plan, including measures aimed at preventing further incidents and strengthening the investigation.
He said he left the meeting encouraged, but remained concerned. “I’m reassured about their willingness to act, but I’m not yet reassured about what comes next,” he said.
On Sunday, Lapointe wrote on X that Ormstown residents have a right to feel safe in their community.
Lapointe did not immediately provide a comment following the meeting with Besombes.
From left to right: Ormstown mayor Philippe Besombes, Domestic Security Minister Guy Jr. Lapointe, and Huntingdon MNA Frédéric Laplante in Ormstown, Que., on Monday. (Chris Kurys/CBC News)
The latest fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. Sunday at a pizzeria on Lambton Street, according to provincial police.
Police said evidence found at the scene suggests the fire was deliberately set. The building, which also housed apartments upstairs, was destroyed, but no injuries were reported.
Investigators and fire scene technicians were dispatched to the site. Police said no suspects have been identified and the investigation is ongoing.
Fires have left Ormstown business owners shaken
Besombes said the repeated incidents have shaken the community, with some business owners questioning whether they can continue operating safely.
Claude Gervais owns Restaurant Express 57, another restaurant on Lambton Street, just a couple doors down from the pizzeria that was burned down on Sunday.
He told CBC his restaurant has been the target of suspected arson twice, most recently two months ago. His mother was at home in the apartment above the restaurant at the time.
“We live in fear,” Gervais said on Sunday.
He said this latest fire is making him consider closing up shop and moving out of town.
Another business owner, Nathalie Côté, just opened a music store on the street but isn’t sure if she’s going to stay.
“I’m scared to death,” she said Sunday.
The mayor said he has also raised concerns with the province about the economic impact of the fires and the need to protect businesses. “We need to make sure our merchants can do their work safely and with peace of mind,” he said.
Despite the growing anxiety, Besombes said he remains confident the community can face the upcoming challenges.
“We’re a very close-knit community,” he said, adding, “I have confidence that we’ll get through this and remain strong and united.”