To combat armed violence in Montreal, the police absolutely need information from the public. This is why they held a “visibility” operation on Tuesday in the Montreal-North district.
Posted at 6:03 p.m.
In addition to numerous officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), representatives from Info-Crime and the Center d’aide aux victims d’actescriminales (CAVAC) were on site, in a park on the street Pascal.
“The most important thing is that the population is behind us and gives us information,” insists Chief Inspector Marie-Claude Dandenaud. “There is no small information, do not hesitate to contact the police. We may think that information is banal, but the slightest information we receive is verified and analyzed. »
Mme Dandenaud acknowledges that some people may be reluctant to speak to the police. This is when Info-Crime can be useful.
Info-Crime is confidential and anonymous, which can be reassuring for citizens who do not want to end up in a police report, or end up as witnesses in court.
Jean Touchette, CEO of Info-Crime
Over the past two years, marked by an increase in incidents involving firearms, Info-Crime has also seen a significant increase in its reporting, says Mr. Touchette, especially through its website, where people can provide information about a crime by filling out a simple form, always anonymously.
Such a police deployment in the district, affected by numerous shootings, which sometimes occur in broad daylight, is also a way of securing the population, notes Commander François Labonté, head of police station 42, located in the neighboring district of Saint -Leonardo.
Indeed, episodes of gunshots can cause concern in the neighborhood. Especially among witnesses and relatives of victims. This is where the CAVAC comes into play.
“All of these people can experience consequences,” says Karine Mac Donald, CAVAC coordinator. “A person who has witnessed a shooting, who has seen someone injured, can have nightmares, become hypervigilant, never leave their home. »
CAVAC can help them cope with anxiety. Interveners can also prepare and accompany those who must testify in court. “It can be very anxiety-provoking, in a context where we know that it may be street gang members,” said Ms.me McDonald’s.
In their work with victims, CAVAC representatives never get involved in the police investigation. They will never pass on information received from a victim to the police.
On the other hand, they can help a victim who wonders about what to say to the police.
“Every time there are gunshots, it affects the citizens, it creates insecurity,” laments Ismael Sougou, community development advisor at neighborhood station 39, in Montreal North. “The peace is no longer there. »
According to him, community work is essential to support people in distress.