MONTREAL – After Pierre Isnard Amy was gunned down in his cab last Friday in Saint-Leonard, local taxi companies insist something needs to be done about safety.
Montreal plans to introduce a series of measures aimed at preventing violent crimes, such as installing video cameras inside taxis and a universal panic button that would alert the police.
Stanley Bastien, an administrator of Co-Op de l’Est taxi service where Amy worked, doesn’t believe a camera can save lives in all circumstances.
“So basically, I don’t think there is anything in the world that could have prevented it.”
There are those who believe cameras are a step in the right direction, but that they should film more than the inside of the cab.
Dominic Roy, owner of Diamond Taxi, said taxis should be equipped to cover all angles.
“There are some cameras out there that can do both,” said Roy.
“They can record both inside the cab and outside the cab.”
The city has not announced when it will become mandatory for cabbies to have cameras, nor who will pay for them.
“That’s the mystery. I don’t think it’s going to be the population. But who?” said Roy.
“That’s probably one of the reasons why it took longer than expected.”
Meanwhile, Amy’s death has taxi drivers at Co-Op de l’Est shaken.
They’re concerned that they’re still not safe with the shooter or shooters on the loose.
“For the past few days we’ve been having difficulties to have drivers to work at night because people are scared,” said Bastien.
The police do not have any new suspects.