The appearance of new actors in the underworld could explain the resurgence of extortion crimes, such as the arson of Old Montreal. The Montreal police chief calls on merchants to notify the authorities as soon as they receive their first threats.
“Above all, don’t give in to threats. Communicate with our teams. »
Fady Dagher’s appeal to victims of extortion was clear. Owners of licensed establishments, whether criminally involved or not, should contact the police before it is too late.
The press briefing of the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) held Thursday aimed to take stock after the arson which cost the lives of a French tourist and her 7-year-old daughter. This matter is still under investigation. The director of the organization promised “concrete results” soon.
Read “Arson in Old Montreal: the theory of extortion is favored by the authorities”
New criminal groups or leaders are seeking to make their place on the scene, which could explain the resurgence of arsons targeting licensed establishments. The phenomenon is not new: extortion, which consists of imposing a protection tax, has been practiced for decades by various criminal groups, such as the mafia or bikers.
“The context has changed, but the goal is essentially the same,” summarized Fady Dagher.
Owners of restaurants and bars targeted have links to the underworld and others are honest citizens. Several criminal groups can attack the same person at different times: some traders are extorted “from all sides,” said Commander Francis Renaud, head of the Organized Crime Section at the SPVM.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Commander Francis Renaud, head of the organized crime section at the SPVM
Victims may be tempted to call on another criminal group to help them. But it is better to confide in the authorities instead of sticking your finger in the gear. “No matter which side of the coin you are on, we have an outstretched hand,” said the commander.
According to our information, some of the sponsors of the suspicious fires are incarcerated. Many are serving life sentences. How can we explain that a bandit can so easily obtain a cell phone in prison and continue his rise in the underworld from his cell? The police chief mentioned “excellent collaboration” between the SPVM and detention centers.
“I think there may be a lack of resources,” however, replied Mr. Dagher, referring to the lack of staff in prison.
Focus in Quebec
The instability of recent days in the metropolis has resonated as far as Quebec. The Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, must take stock with the bosses of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and the SPVM this Friday. He intends to show the police that the population is worried, and that they must be reassuring. He is worried about seeing organized crime becoming more and more “disorganized”.
It doesn’t make sense what’s happening with our young people, who are involved in street gangs and then commit crimes. I will never accept that.
François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security
“I think we are all affected when we see young people who are used, young people who are vulnerable,” added Prime Minister François Legault. They are offered money to commit crimes. It’s terrible […]. »
The CAQ does not take the situation seriously, according to the PQ
The Parti Québécois accuses the CAQ of taking the situation lightly. The Prime Minister was also stung by a question from PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. “When I hear the Prime Minister tell us that it’s not so bad since basically it compares better than in certain places in Canada, that tells us that the government is not taking the situation seriously” , he said during the question period.
“The statistics are clear: the number of assaults, fights and attacks has doubled in just a few years. Same thing for gun violence,” worried Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Rubble of the arson that cost the lives of a French tourist and her daughter in Old Montreal
With the cases of “the Frampton attack, where a 14-year-old teenager served as cannon fodder in a war between two criminal groups”, and the arson of Old Montreal, the Parti Québécois calls for the holding of a parliamentary commission on “the exploitation of our young people by hyperviolent street gangs”.
Increase in fires in Laval
The extortion phenomenon is not limited to Montreal; the Laval police also noted an increase in arson attacks on its territory around 2022. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 67 fires targeting restaurants or other licensed establishments. In total, 27 arrests were made in these cases. Among those arrested, six were minors.
With the collaboration of Daniel Renaud, The Press