Montreal North has changed for the better. These words were uttered with satisfaction by Salim Darazi, the owner of the Pierre convenience store, located on the street of the same name, in the heart of an area of the city where criminal gangs have already caused rain and shine.
For more than 20 years, Mr. Darazi has had his business on a street that has witnessed several shootings, including one that took place right in front of his business. He points to the bottom of the metal door: “There’s still a bullet hole there. »
Sometimes there were a dozen street gang members gathered outside the door, which scared away customers, he said.
Now, no one, he said with a smile. ” Zero problem. “For a few years, “the police have been coming every day,” he explains. The most important change is that there is more presence [policière]. And business is better.”
Because to ensure that the streets of Montreal-North are safe, the neighborhood station 39 (PDQ 39) of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) deployed a strategy a few years ago, in particular accompanied by this new weapon: Gallo and Loco.
These are the nicknames of the two foot patrollers of PDQ 39, whose task is to roam the streets, to ensure a visible presence there that keeps crime at a distance and to develop ties with all those who live there – young criminals included. .
The duty followed the duo last week during its patrol, as part of a “Cobra” activity, which allows civilians to accompany police officers on duty.
“The “popo” is here”
At the intersection of Lapierre and Pascal streets, four elderly ladies are chatting, laughing on a bench.
“Unthinkable a few years ago,” drops agent Carmine Gallo. “It was the street gang bench. They stood there most of the day. The police could not even park their vehicle at this street corner before: assured vandalism and flat tires, says his sidekick “Loco”, agent Oscar Espinoza of his real name.
Not far away, in front of rows of small shops, young people are quarreling in a friendly way.
“Hey man, How are you ! You are very chic today, ”says Agent Gallo to one of them.
” What are you talking about ? I’m always well dressed! the boy retorts with a big smile.
The other young people in the group are a little more reluctant, but let themselves be won over by the good mood. “Before, it was the assured confrontation”, explains the agent “Loco”. These are young criminals, who have had trouble with the law, especially for drug cases, he says.
They exchange words about sports games and leave each other with a well-felt “respect”. A few years ago, they would have shouted to warn the others: “The ‘popo’ is here,” said Constable Gallo.
The two police officers have been teaming up for seven years, but both have been hard at work in Montreal North for much longer: 18 and 20 years. The way of doing police work has changed over the years, explains Constable Espinoza. “Before, it was frowned upon, a policeman ‘doing nothing’, talking to someone in a park. »
The patrol continues. “We arrested them, said Agent Gallo, pointing the finger at the young people. And two years later, they shake hands with you, because we respected them. »
And this information circulates: “It’s a village here. Their village. »
While inspecting a courtyard, one can still read the word “Blood” on the side of a building, testimony to the presence of the “Reds” in the area. The agents scan the space, and report the presence of a member of the Hells Angels. In 2018, “it was lined with outlaw street gangs here,” says Agent Gallo, who reports several shootings a year. “Rival street gangs were driving up and… pof pof! »
“It was a battlefield here. »
The intersection formed by boulevard Rolland and rue Pascal also saw the violence of the riots after the death of young Fredy Villanueva.
” Respect “
Why have things changed, according to the police force?
Criminalized persons see officers present – every day – who do not arrive only after a 911 call. More powerful streetlights have been installed by the City, and at the corner of Pierre and Lapierre streets, a surveillance camera scans the sector. “It helps a lot. »
“And we treat young people, even criminalized ones, with respect. We listen to them when they complain about other police officers — education goes both ways,” says Constable Gallo. It also offers them “alternatives”: for example, if a man is wanted for domestic violence, the police can tell him to come to the station instead of arresting him on the spot, in front of his friends. “That way, he is not humiliated in front of others. It is important for them, respect. And it helps to develop a relationship of trust. »
Constable Gallo remembers having offered to two groups to come and settle a dispute in the parking lot of the police station. He and his colleague report that sometimes it is the residents themselves who tell the officers: “We saw a car that is not from here. It does not smell good. »
The duo organized soccer games for young people and even distributed winter boots in this poor, densely populated multicultural neighborhood and overcrowded high schools, said PDQ 39 Lieutenant Julie Bessette.
Which does not mean that there are no more problems of violence in Montreal North. According to SPVM annual reports, there were four homicides in 2021 in the territory of PDQ 39, none in 2020, one in 2019 and none in 2018. The attempted murders were respectively 8, 17, 13 and 7 for the same years. However, other sectors accumulated more over these same periods. There is no more violence than elsewhere, maintains Commander Claude Dufour.
Other local residents, encountered during the patrol, spontaneously approach the police to ask them questions or just chat.
Brunilda Reyes, of the community organization Les Forks of Hope, says the police know the people in the neighborhood well and refer those who need help to her. “The neighborhood has been improving for a few years. »
It’s calmer, safer now, confirms Ousseynou Ndiaye, of the community organization Un itinerary pour tous, which is well established on rue Pierre.
“It’s thanks to them that we return home in peace,” said an elderly man, laden with bags of groceries. Just seeing the police come by makes you think twice. »