Increase in violence in schoolyards, increased vehicle thefts, possible tensions within organized crime: the year 2023 in the Longueuil agglomeration was not marked by armed violence, certainly, but the police department focuses on prevention and remains on the lookout for certain trends that could shake citizens’ feeling of security.
“Longueuil is a safe city. But we don’t put on rose-colored glasses. We are not immune to an increase in shootings, homicides or any other scourge. We observe the trends in our territory and we act upstream to contain them,” immediately indicates Louise Gendron, deputy director of investigations of the Longueuil urban police service (SPAL).
No crime should go under the radar: this is what emerges from the speech of his colleague Pierre Duquette, chief inspector of investigations at SPAL. He is particularly concerned about the meteoric rise in car theft, a lucrative crime for young bandits.
“It pays more to steal a car than to sell a kilo of cocaine. We must take this crime very seriously and we have decided to tackle it,” says Pierre Duquette.
There are 1,477 vehicles stolen in Longueuil this year alone. In Montérégie, car thefts are up 87%.
A SPAL detective sergeant is also part of the mixed team set up by the Sûreté du Québec to counter this scourge.
“This is a dangerous crime. We think tank theft is commonplace. ” Dangerous ? Yes, because vehicle thefts more often than you think result in road accidents. The bandit flees at the wheel of the vehicle, runs red lights, does not respect the speed limits. “There is the theft itself, then the possibility of hitting a pedestrian. People think about it less,” summarizes Mr. Duquette.
“We assigned SPAL investigators specifically to this,” adds Louise Gendron.
Same story for grandparent fraud, another increasingly common crime where impostors demand a ransom from elders by making them believe that their grandchild has been kidnapped.
“Every time a victim calls us, we intervene immediately,” explains Louise Gendron. In total, the SPAL arrested seven alleged fraudsters who allegedly used this scheme. “We still managed to save $105,000 by preventing the fraudsters from acting. »
Violence in schools
“The crux of the matter is intelligence, which directs us to trends,” explains Louise Gendron, head of investigations.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
SPAL deputy director of investigations, Louise Gendron
Our young people are on social networks. This is where you need to be.
Louise Gendron, deputy director of investigations at SPAL
A monitoring of social networks revealed a sporadic increase in violent fights in schoolyards in SPAL territory. “We have videos of assaults. Serious battles. Our people internally noticed that emerging cliques were starting to insult each other on social media. »
SPAL not only ensures that these violent fights are investigated, but also that the arrested suspect also complies with their conditions. Everything to prevent the situation from degenerating and the school conflict from turning into a conflict between two neighborhoods or two sectors. “We also involve parents a lot. We saw many victims on social networks who did not file a complaint. We’re still going to meet them,” explains Louise Gendron.
“Immediately when we saw the resurgence, we started on it. Prevention is in our DNA,” emphasizes Pierre Duquette.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The chief inspector of investigations at SPAL, Pierre Duquette
Two intelligence agents were immediately called into action.
We note the hiring from January 2023 of psychosocial workers within the SPAL who work in conjunction with prevention police officers. The goal: to target young people who are on the path or on the verge of falling into crime.
The SPAL notes a 41% drop in violent crimes linked to juvenile delinquency this year.
But everything is not perfect: the police department would like to unlock the resources to build a team solely dedicated to social networks.
Pressure on organized crime
The police force monitors armed violence diligently. “We have had 10 shootings this year. There were two last year,” says Pierre Duquette.
SPAL seized 13 kilos of cocaine on its territory this year during more than 70 narcotics searches.
“During our searches, the people we arrested were almost all armed,” adds Pierre Duquette.
Nothing has changed in years: the Hells Angels control all sales of illicit substances. “We try to be on the lookout; we are not immune to a situation like in Quebec, where gangs rebel against organized crime. Gangs, whether emerging or well-established, could take inspiration from it. They may say to themselves: “Why would I give away 50% of my profits?” », notes the chief inspector.
The Multidisciplinary Intervention Brigade (BIM) has made 537 bar visits this year and 119 arrests, adding constant pressure on organized crime.
Murder solved after 48 years
SPAL investigators solved a 48-year-old case in 2023, an achievement of which they are very proud. New, increasingly widespread genetic analysis technology has made this possible. “We are the first in Quebec to have used this technology,” reiterates Pierre Duquette, chief inspector at SPAL.
The killer of Sharron Prior, a kidnapped teenager whose body was discovered in 1975, has been identified. The suspect died in the 1980s in Montreal, so there was no arrest.
“It takes an immense weight off the shoulders of a family who was looking for an answer,” explains Louise Gendron, of SPAL investigations.
“What is coming in terms of technological advances in terms of DNA gives hope to families and reminds people that a cold case is not a closed case,” believes the chief inspector Pierre Duquette.