With more than forty firearm incidents since the beginning of this year, many have been repeating in recent days that summer is likely to be hot in Montreal. A leitmotif whose objective is to prepare you for the worst and lower your expectations.
Worry and feelings of insecurity feed on uncertainty. So if you’re told that shootings are likely to increase this summer, you know what to expect. And if, in addition, you are told that the police are well aware of this situation and ready to remedy it… you are a little more reassured even if the SPVM is understaffed.
In fact, the best crisis management strategy is always prepared several months in advance, and the better the communication, the more the events will look like a storm in a teacup. At worst, citizens’ expectations will drop and defeatism will take over.
A defeatism that I already hear on the ground: “You have to learn to live with that! » ; “We have to arm ourselves to protect ourselves. » ; “We are like in Toronto. ” And many more.
Summer 2023, nothing new!
Summers are always hot in the criminal ecosystem, especially in turbulent years, as has been the case in Montreal for the past three years. With good weather comes an increase in crime, mainly during the months of July and August. An increase which can also begin in the spring.
The reasons are many, including an increase in human interactions and criminal opportunities. There is certainly a study by the University of Montreal that links a rise in temperature to an increase in crimes against the person, but it is much more complex to determine the true causes.
The summer of 2023 is therefore unlikely to differ much from the summer trends usually observed. Take, for example, the summer of 2022 (June to August) when there would have been fewer firearm discharges in Montreal than in 2021, which remains the grand champion.
So why has the SPVM been talking about it so much for several weeks, if only for a matter of communication?
Summer 2023, child prostitution
While shootings are a concern, prostitution should not be forgotten. With the arrival of major events (including Formula 1) and floods of tourists, the sex industry is far from feeling the recession.
We can expect, as every year, an increase in the recruitment of minors.
Many will end up in places of prostitution in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada.
Did you know that police officers from other provinces cannot execute an arrest warrant issued in Quebec if the minor says he is not in danger? However, we know very well that training techniques make victims keep quiet.
I dare to hope that this flaw in the system will be quickly resolved. After all, a hot summer is coming to Montreal.