Public Safety delivers Valentine’s Day surprises

On February 13, 2024, Westmount Public Safety brightened the day of unsuspecting residents by hand-delivering Valentine’s Day surprises. In total, 30 residents received a visit from Dispatcher Alex Paleologopoulos and Officer Julie Noiret, accompanied by District 8 city councillor Kathleen Kez, who is also Commissioner of Public Security. Each resident was gifted a colourful chrysanthemum and a small package of chocolate truffles.

Westmount Public Safety is well known for its community outreach and proximity to residents. One of the services provided, in partnership with Contactivity, a local community centre for adults over the age of 60, is Good Morning Westmount: a personalized service for seniors, persons with disabilities and individuals with reduced autonomy residing alone in Westmount. This service offers a reassuring voice in case of emergencies or accidents, and includes regular check-ins with registered persons, usually with a phone call. On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, our Public Safety Team thought to visit these residents in person.

“The members of Good Morning Westmount always enjoy a short conversation with Alex on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and this was a great opportunity for them to put a face to the voice,” said Assistant Director of Public Safety Kim Colquhoun.

Residents were vocal with their appreciation of this initiative, and messages of thanks came in by phone and text message throughout the day. “That chrysanthemum is like a ray of sunshine in my kitchen. I want to thank you again!”, said one. “A lovely surprise. Thank you!”, said another. While Valentine’s Day deliveries may seem like a small action, it is one of the ways the Public Safety Team makes a real impact on the lives of Westmount residents. It is part of what makes this City such a special place to live.

The Good Morning Westmount service offers great peace of mind to those who cannot be near their loved ones in Westmount. For residents, it grows their sense of belonging to the community, fights isolation and ensures residents have someone they can rely on nearby. Learn more about this and other Public Safety initiatives in Westmount.