The Montreal police do not expect an outbreak of violence in the aftermath of a heinous double murder committed by firearm, but their officers will increase their presence in the neighborhoods of the metropolis to reassure the population.
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“I understand very well that Montrealers can be affected. These are violent events. It affects the feeling of security,” recognizes Marie-Claude Dandenault, chief inspector and spokesperson for the organization.
“I assure you that teams of investigators, patrollers, specialized teams, everyone is hard at work to be able to bring the person who committed these crimes to justice,” she adds.
The SPVM refuses for the moment to confirm if the author of these murders could be affiliated with street gangs or if he acted alone. However, nothing suggests that these two homicides could cause an escalation of violence.
“There is nothing pointing in that direction. But obviously, we are going to close all the doors, we are going to increase the patrols, ”underlines Mme Dandenault.
Not reassuring
Meanwhile, the opposition to the City of Montreal is demanding clear measures from Mayor Valérie Plante.
“The most revolting is that the administration refuses any proposal when it does not put any alternative in place,” said indignant Abdelhaq Sari, spokesman for public security.
“The SPVM has deployed an integrated strategy to fight against firearm violence this summer,” reacted the mayor’s office, recalling that several arrests and seizures have been made.
This double murder comes just a year after a shooting in the Rivière-des-Prairies district, in eastern Montreal, left three dead and two injured.
The Montreal police then warned the criminals that they would strongly increase their efforts to catch them. Did the message get through?
“It’s hard to know what’s going on in these people’s heads, but we kept hammering [ce message] “says the chief inspector.
– With Francis Pilon and QMI Agency