The mayor of 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. “People are in shock,” Besombes said in an interview with The Canadian Press 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. 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. 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. Besombes said the repeated incidents have shaken the community, with some business owners questioning whether they can continue operating safely. 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.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9, 2026.
