New security measures have been deployed in certain courthouses such as that of Longueuil, following the armed attack that occurred in this building on January 9, Quebec said on Tuesday.
Just like in Longueuil, the courthouses of Laval and Saint-Jérôme will now use means such as metal detector sticks and searches at the entrance. This aims to “reassure” those who have to go to these buildings, said Louise Quintin, public relations officer at the Ministry of Public Security.
A 68-year-old court interpreter, Hai Thach, was hospitalized last week after suffering a knife wound to the upper body at the Longueuil courthouse. Alexandre Garcés, a 44-year-old man who was arrested at the scene, faces four charges: attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose.
“It’s gratuitously and unbelievably violent,” deplores Franck Perales, president of the Union of Special Constables of the Government of Quebec. However, he is delighted that the new measures introduced will “seriously enhance” the safety of users of these buildings.
When you enter a courthouse like a shopping center, a grocery store or a pharmacy, I never believe it
Safety arches demanded
All Quebec courthouses should be equipped with metal detection arches and X-ray machines at the entrance, like the one in Montreal, according to Mr. Perales. “By doing this, we create a secure and controlled environment. We know that not all those who entered the courthouse had weapons on them. Those who do not want to submit are free to do so, but they will not be able to enter the building. »
Analysis work is underway “in order to add arches in certain courthouses and other measures as necessary to maintain the feeling of security,” jointly assured the office of the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, and that of the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette.
The latter two reiterate that the “courthouses are safe”. Without wanting to alarm the population, Franck Perales nevertheless questions this assertion. “When you enter a courthouse like a shopping center, a grocery store or a pharmacy, I never come back,” he says.
He therefore asks the government to provide special constables with the necessary means so that they can ensure the safety of citizens who attend courthouses. “Do we really have to wait until someone dies there one day to say that we are indeed going to invest? […] To secure all of the courthouses, yes, there will be work that will have to be carried out, but we can do it in sequence,” says the president of the union.