Armed violence in Laval | Half as many firearm discharges this year

Since the beginning of the year, there has been half as much violence with firearms on Île Jésus compared to the same period the previous year, announces the Service de police de Laval, according to which this significant decrease is attributable to an intervention strategy that came into effect before the summer.

Daniel Renaud
The Press

Between 1^er January and August 30, 2021, 27 firearm discharge events had occurred on Jesus Island, compared to 13 for the same period this year, a decrease of 52%, and a figure that resembles the situation that had courses in Laval in 2019.

For the same period in 2021, the police had found 124 casings, compared to 37 for the same period of 2022, another notable drop of 70%.

Also during the same period, Laval police officers apprehended 29 individuals suspected of having taken part in this armed violence this year, compared to 27 in 2021.

They also seized 39 firearms in 2022, compared to 31 for the same period last year.

“For criminals who believe that they can circulate in Laval with weapons, we have an eye on you and we will not let up on the pressure. We remain vigilant, visible and present in the streets to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens, ”reacted the director of the Service de police de Laval (SPL), Pierre Brochet.

A hard core of 50 individuals

The SPL explains this success by a new strategy called Paradox, which came into effect before the summer, a season normally conducive to an increase in firearm discharges.

According to information from the SPL, Laval has about fifty dangerous individuals mainly involved in gangs and who could potentially be involved in shooting events.

In summary, as part of the Paradoxe intervention strategy, Laval police officers put pressure on these individuals, monitor them and take an interest in all their criminal activities, not just their involvement in firearm discharges. .

At the same time, the agents carry out prevention, in schools or elsewhere, with the youngest who might be tempted to follow in the footsteps of these individuals.

All the gendarmerie and investigation squads, whose mandate is integrated into Paradoxe, are involved, in addition to the collaboration of other police forces and elements of the Centaure Quebec strategy to fight against firearms.

Laval police have also made more than 250 arrests under Paradox since it came into effect.

The drop too much

Last May, three events of rare violence occurred in Laval; one man was killed and another injured as they returned from a family celebration. The next day, suspects in a vehicle opened fire on a group of individuals in front of low-rent housing on Place Saint-Martin. Two days later, two individuals, still in a car, shot a man in broad daylight in rue Normandin, causing panic among two girls who were looking for a cat.

These events allegedly took place in the context of a conflict between two gangs, the Zone 3 and the Flamehead Boys, and one of the influential members of the latter, Jemsley Olivier Printemps-Sanon, was arrested in August.

Mr. Brochet believes that this arrest is not unrelated to the decrease in firearm discharges in 2022.

“These May events were the straw that broke the camel’s back. About fifty individuals are terrorizing 450,000 citizens. You have to attack the hard core, be firm with them and not let go of them an inch, ”concludes the leader of the SPL.

To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.