SPVM

Police seek public’s help to find missing CDN teen

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by Dan Laxer
The Suburban

A Montreal teen is missing and Montreal police (SPVM) is asking the public’s help in finding her.

Abigaelle Morot is 14-years-old with long black hair and blue eyes. She stands five feet one inch, and weighs 100 pounds.

She was last seen in the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. At the time she was wearing a beige puffy coat, black pants and beige UGG boots.

Police say her family is worried about her safety.

Anyone with information about her disappearance is being asked to contact police.

Police seek public’s help to find missing CDN teen Read More »

Three arrested after NDG car chase

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By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

A car chase that led to the arrest of three suspects started in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough Wednesday night.

Around midnight Wednesday into Thursday Montreal police (SPVM) caught sight of a stolen vehicle on Sherbrooke Street West near Girouard Avenue.

Officers were trying to stop the car and apprehend the suspects. The driver of the car rammed the police cruiser on site, and then sped away.

There was only minor damage to the cruiser, and no one was hurt.

Police pursued the vehicle, catching up 20 minutes later on Henri Bourassa Blvd West near Tohurst Street in Montreal North, about 15 km away. Three suspects fled on foot, with police blocking streets to try to corner them.

About an hour later police arrested the three. One is 16 years old, the other two are 18 and 20 years of age.

The 16-year-old was eventually released, but may still face charges later.

The other two were arraigned on numerous charges including assault, dangerous driving, hit and run, and assault of a police officer. n

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SPVM arrest six in two island-wide fraud schemes

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Montreal Police Department’s (SPVM) Economic Crimes Section arrested six suspects who were allegedly involved in two fraud schemes involving false representation. Some 50 victims of all ages are believed to have fallen victim to the scam. Authorities estimate the losses incurred by the victims collectively at approximately $1 million.

Police investigators conducted seven searches in Montreal, Carignan and Sainte-Julie. They seized various pieces of evidence related to the investigation as well as three loaded firearms. These searches are in addition to two others that were conducted in October.

The suspects arrested are five men aged 19 to 33 and a 22-year-old woman.

Two schemes were allegedly used to trap the victims. In the first, the suspects pretended to be employees of a financial institution. A false representative called a victim to make them believe that a fraudulent transaction had just been made in their account in another province. The victim was then instructed to cut their bank card in two, without damaging the chip, and then insert the pieces into an envelope. The false representative then asked the victim to verbally give them their personal identification number, then gave them a false reference code to write on the envelope. A known delivery company was then used to pick up the envelopes. The company’s drivers were not involved in the fraud and were used without their knowledge, according to police. Once the cards were in their possession, the fraudsters quickly made purchases and withdrawals using them.

In the second scheme, the suspects called the victims, also posing as employees of a financial institution. A fake representative explained to the victim that, for security reasons, it was important that their money be transferred quickly to a new account at the same institution. The fake representative then invited the victim to log into their online banking account and guided them to help them create a new account and make a transfer. The fake representative managed to obtain the transfer confirmation number from the victim. After hanging up with the victim, the fake representative had access to the funds that had just been transferred.

Several other suspects are targeted in this criminal investigation and other arrests are expected. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 911 or their local police station. It is also possible to communicate information anonymously and confidentially to Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form available on the infocrimemontreal.ca website.

Police suggest the following prevention tips: never trust what is written on your phone display, because fraudsters use applications that allow them to write the names of financial institutions; never give personal information over the phone; tell the person who is soliciting you that you will call them back; never give in to pressure; always consult a family member or trusted friend to validate the information received; and when in doubt, do not hesitate to consult your financial institution yourself – in person or using an official number – or your local police station. n

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SPVM investigating yet another St. Laurent fire

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By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The SPVM is investigating one of many suspected arson attacks in St. Laurent, this one at a business at Montée de Liesse near Côte de Liesse, in the western sector of the borough.

The SPVM and Montreal fire department responded to a 911 call 5:40 a.m. Saturday May 20.

Police say the window of the business was broken, but no incendiary devices were found. The fire, which caused minor damage, was quickly brought under control. There were no injuries and no arrests as of May 20.

The SPVM is checking surveillance footage as part of their ongoing investigation.

Many other suspected arsons have taken place in recent months at businesses in St. Laurent, including one May 9 at McCaffrey; six cars were destroyed by fire around 11:25 p.m. April 26 at Lebeau near the Metropolitan Expressway, in the southeastern section of the borough; the Bab Sharqi restaurant was targeted several times, another fire took place in mid-March at Bois Franc and Miniac, and two others took place Feb. 16 and March 7 at businesses near Montée de Liesse.

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Racism is a “cancer” in Montreal police: Vilcéus

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By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Racism is a “cancer eating away” at the Montreal police force, a retiring SPVM veteran said in a resignation letter last week.

Veteran Montreal cop and Eclipse anti-gang squad commander Patrice Vilcéus slammed an enduring culture of racism within the ranks, and the stubborn obstacles to ridding the force of it.

That Haitian-born officer served for more than 30 years and has been vocal on issues of racism and discrimination within the SPVM ranks, which he said is made worse by some “managers who defend the status quo with sterile visions,” cautioning against the damage that can be wrought on an organization by ranking leaders who trivialize critical thinking.

He did, however, laud SPVM Chief Fady Dagher for his “vision,” and encouraged him to achieve “positive change.” In July 2023, Dagher rejected calls from a landmark report commissioned by his own force, that called for an immediate ban on random police stops — which were indicative and supported systemic racism — and which noted that blacks were far more likely than whites to be stopped by police in Montreal. Dagher repeatedly insisted he plans to overhaul the culture of the force, denying there are racists within the ranks off officers.

Vilcéus also referred to the recent Quebec Court decision where Judge Dominique Poulin ruled that racialized Montrealers subject to unjustified interventions should be compensated, some tens of thousands of people arrested over a two-year period between 2017 and 2019, as part of a $170 million class action suit brought by the Black Coalition of Quebec.

The SPVM’s own consultant Frédéric Boisrond, who submitted a report on the issue to the force in 2022, told reporters that Vilcéus’ missive is in line with his own observations. The SPVM has not made any public statement in response to the letter. n

Racism is a “cancer” in Montreal police: Vilcéus Read More »

McGill calls on police to investigate antisemitic incidents

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By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

McGill University has called on the SPVM to investigate incidents of antisemitic graffiti and intimidation — graffiti was discovered on the Redpath Library building saying “Hail Satan LOL” and included a Nazi swastika.

When the encampment of anti-Israel protesters was dismantled in July, they vowed to return in one way or another. Some protesters recently tore up parts of the McGill campus lawns. The perpetrators fled and no arrests were made, The Suburban was told at the time.

In the current case, McGill has not specified what the incidents were.

In an email to the McGill community from Christopher Manfredi, McGill Provost and Executive Vice-President and Fabrice Labeau, Vice President Administration and Finance, they wrote, “in recent days, our campus has seen hate incidents, ranging from graffiti to intimidation of our campus community, acts which any reasonable person would consider antisemitic.

“Incidents were reported to the Montreal police and McGill’s security professionals are working with them to provide video or other evidence needed to identify suspects. Once the police’s investigation is completed, the attorney general will determine if charges will be laid. We will also immediately start disciplinary processes against any person identified as a member of the McGill community who was involved in these appalling events.”

They added, “as president Deep Saini has stated many times, antisemitism, like any form of hate, has no place on campus. We know that the McGill community unites behind us in unequivocally condemning these acts and in reaffirming our commitment to a campus free of discrimination, violence and hate.”

Eta Yudin, vice-president of the Centre For Israel and Jewish Affairs, Quebec, posted, “For too long, antisemitism has taken over our campuses and has plagued academic life. Together with our partners at Federation CJA, we have consistently and directly advocated for concrete action. We are encouraged that McGill appears to be taking the crisis seriously and expect further action to be taken, particularly as agitators continue to disrupt classes. The administration must remain vigilant and responsive.” n

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Hampstead Mayor granted power to appoint special constables

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By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Hampstead council voted unanimously, in a voice vote, to grant Mayor Jeremy Levi the power to appoint special constables in case of an emergency in the town.

The bylaw points out that Quebec’s Police Act enables a council to grant the Mayor this power.

“In case of emergency, the Mayor is authorized to appoint, in writing, for a period not exceeding seven days, special constables with authority, under the supervision of the Director of the Montreal Police Service, to prevent and suppress offences under the municipal bylaws within all or part of the territory of the Town of Hampstead.”

During question period, the Mayor further explained that now that the bylaw has been passed, “I have instructed our Director General to consult with legal counsel to develop a working framework to analyze what would merit an emergency, what qualifies as an emergency.

“A special constable is a particular status of a peace officer in Quebec with a specific type of training and certification. It’s important to note that if and when a special constable is appointed, it’s under the Director of the SPVM. It’s a work in progress.”

Levi added that “obviously, the hostile environment that we’ve witnessed over the past few months has pushed us to look for all avenues with regards to Public Security as well.

“I’m not going to get into details of what we have done, for security reasons, but we are looking at making significant changes to Public Security, in a good way, and I’ll leave it at that.” n

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SPVM breaks up major shisha tobacco smuggling ring, 69 arrested

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By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The SPVM announced last Thursday that it has broken up a shisha tobacco smuggling network, seizing 9,300 kg of the contraband material worth $4.2 million.

The operation was the result of several months of investigation by the SPVM, which concluded June 26. Previous seizures last year were of much smaller amounts, and had taken place in St. Laurent and other locales.

“The investigation, led by the SPVM’s ACCES Tabac unit, in close collaboration with neighbourhood stations and the Laval Police Department, also led to the seizure of 3,650 cartons of contraband cigarettes, 35 vehicles and $158,000 in cash,” an SPVM statement says. “In total, 85 searches were carried out, the majority of them inside businesses, residences and vehicles in the boroughs of St. Laurent, Ahuntsic–Cartierville, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre- Dame-de-Grâce and Montréal North, as well as in the Laval territory. Warehouses located in the Toronto area were also targeted by investigators.”

The SPVM arrested 69 suspects between the ages of 19 and 79, “under the Tobacco Tax Act. The file from this investigation, which began in the fall of 2023, was submitted to Revenue Quebec prosecutors so that charges could be filed.

The SPVM pointed out that the ACCES program “is funded by the government of Quebec and coordinated by the Ministry of Public Security. The SPVM’s ACCES Tabac unit is dedicated to the fight against tobacco smuggling and aims, among other things, to ensure healthy competition for legitimate commerce.”

The police explained that the investigation started “following a series of crimes targeting businesses selling illicit shisha.

“The SPVM continues to monitor the situation closely. Anyone with information can contact 911 or their local station. It is also possible to communicate anonymously and confidentially with Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form available on the infocrimemontreal.ca website.”

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Lack of specificity in SPVM crime stats: MoWest councillor

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By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

The SPVM’s crime statistics are not specific enough, in that the numbers are for a station’s entire coverage area rather than individual municipalities, Montreal West Councillor Lauren Small-Pennefather says.

Station 9’s coverage area includes Montreal West, Côte St. Luc, Hampstead and, a few years ago, was expanded to include NDG. Small-Pennefather has brought up the specificity issue on previous occasions as well.

“It’s always very difficult for us to be able to distill exactly what is specific to Montreal West,” she said last week.

The councillor told The Suburban after the council meeting that the lack of specific numbers for cities is “problematic.

“This comes from the top, saying they won’t do it anymore. They say it’s not cost-effective or efficient for them to have to distill those numbers.”

At the June 25 meeting, the councillor cited the SPVM’s annual report, saying that for Station 9’s entire coverage area, property crimes were up 24.5 percent for 2023, “versus the previous five years, and there was an increase of car thefts of over 100 percent.

“Crimes against persons are also up 29.4 percent, and in the same five-year period, there was a slight decrease in homicides,” she added. “Of course, our biggest issue in Montreal West is with regards to stolen vehicles, and if you’ve been watching the news, you probably have seen that there are a number of very sophisticated theft rings that were [the subject of] significant arrests by the police.”

Small-Pennefather also said she is hopeful about legislation to reduce car thefts, such as harsher penalties for perpetrators; as well as measures by car manufacturers to decrease theft.

The councillor told The Suburban that the town does know, based on information from Montreal West Public Security and the police, that “our numbers are smaller, but we’re just a few streets, and if someone gets a car stolen and then another car is stolen [in another area of the town],” the word gets around and much concern is expressed by residents.

Small-Pennefather revealed that her own vehicle was stolen from her driveway, just before the COVID pandemic began.

“You feel violated if something is stolen from you, but as I said, a lot of this has to do with federal jurisdiction improving the laws, and they have now cracked down on a number of rings.” n

Lack of specificity in SPVM crime stats: MoWest councillor Read More »

Police shut down West End motel on drug and pimping charges

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By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Motel Saint-Jacques in NDG was shut down by police in a major raid aimed to take down a prostitution, firearm and drug trafficking network that has allegedly been running through the motel for years. The owner and one employee were arrested and are facing charges of pimping and drug trafficking.

Police received a rare warrant to place the motel under a blocking order to conduct a full investigation while ensuring all operations are stopped throughout the process. All tenants occupying the 31-room motel were evicted. At the onset of the raid, the Tactical Intervention Group discovered four unconscious persons that were intoxicated in an apartment. Ten women were taken into the care of social workers belonging to the local health network. Community outreach officers from The Assistance Center for Victims of Crime (CAVAC) of the SPVM are meeting with victims in collaboration with the Health Authority (CIUSSS).

Several tenants including at least one elderly woman who live at the motel full-time received a two week notice to evacuate their motel apartments. Police officers remain on site, supervising the motel and the remaining tenants were given information on resources to help them re-house themselves elsewhere.

With the blocking order in place, the owner is prevented access to the building and cannot sell the property while the legal proceedings are in effect. This prevents a potential sale of illegal business operations, a continuation of operations under new management or any takeovers.

This operation required careful planning and consideration of the victims in order to be carried out effectively. It is rare for police to obtain a warrant for a blocking order and place a property under constant supervision. Sixty police officers from various SPVM squads, including the newly established ACCESS and Proceeds of Crime section, were deployed to shut down the motel and the alleged illegal operations that it is connected to and to maintain constant supervision.

This property has been on police radar for many years with many reports of overdoses, multiple links to underage prostitution and prostitution, pimping as well as other facets of criminal activity related to firearms and violence. n

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Montrealers continue fighting against police brutality

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Photo Felix Legault

Julia Cieri
Local Journalism Initiative

Speakers and participants did not want to reveal names for their safety.

On March 15, the annual demonstration against police brutality was held at Beaudry metro station. It was organized by the Collectif 15 Mars, an autonomous group of activists from diverse backgrounds united by opposition to police intervention.

Nearly a hundred people gathered on the streets of the Gay Village, most wearing face covers and masks. Police officers on horses, bicycles, and on foot flooded the surrounding areas with expensive and excessive gear. 

The collective opposes racial, social and political profiling, pushing to stop police arrests aimed towards sex workers, Black, Indigenous, unhoused individuals, and people struggling with mental illness. It says the protest is a call for an end to police stop-and-search, mixed squads, and the presence of private security agencies in public spaces. 

The city of Montreal’s municipal budget for 2024 saw an increase of $33.8 million granted to the SPVM, representing 18.3 per cent of the overall budget. The government has been criticized once again for prioritizing law and enforcement over other essential services. In contrast, social housing is only getting 3.2 per cent of the total budget, urban and economic development only 4.1 per cent, and public transport 10.2 per cent. “We increase faster the budget of people who intimidate people rather than the budget of the people who heal,” said a representative of CLAC’s Legal Self-Defense Committee. 

Le Collectif wants to redirect the finances put into the police budget towards community services to help unhoused individuals who are continuously and increasingly repressed, questioned, arrested and prosecuted. “The real crime, for us, is that while we earn peanuts, social inequality explodes and the bosses pocket more and more,” another speaker said. They argue that the state prefers to finance profiteers, with the sole objective of “pauperizing the population and keeping themselves rich.” 

The event began with a few speeches, passionately spoken through megaphones, denouncing the police as being a central part of an oppressive system which abides to laws made for owners and the rich. “We recognize them as systems that carry out colonial, transphobic, and classist violence”, said a speaker. 

As protesters marched on Ste Catherine St., police squads swarmed the sidewalks, walking along intimidatingly as attendees taunted them and shouted “Fuck the police, no justice no peace,” “The police are serving the rich and the fascists” and “Whose streets? Ours!”. 

For many, the police have caused harm and distress. Ziggy, a participant who didn’t want to share their name, expressed their personal experience with the cops. “When I was 14, I jumped the metro and it ended with the cops being called,” they said. “I got brutally beaten by two cops and ever since there’s been this burning hate.” 

Others reflect on the reasons for the increasing emphasis on the police force. “In a capitalist and colonial context, the state needs to have the police to ensure that they maintain the oppressive institutions put in place in society,” said Will, a protester. 

Angelique, another attendee, also views oppression as the core of police enforcement. “The city values the police because it’s all about oppression and control,” they said. “It’s never been about the people or liberty.”

The demonstration dwindled two hours later and ended at Guy-Concordia metro station.

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Alternatives to the SPVM: The importance of low-stakes alternatives to calling 911Alternatives to the SPVM

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Graphic Myriam Ouazzani

Max Moller
Local Journalism Initiative

Disclaimer: If someone is dying or in immediate danger, please call 911.

According to its 2022 activity report, the Montreal police responded to over 1.4 million calls. Over 13,000 of these calls were about domestic disturbances. The SPVM’s specialized mental health team, the Équipe de soutien aux urgences psychosociales, has responded to 14,000 calls since 2012.

These numbers pale in comparison to the calls received by non-police entities that correspond to the same issues. From April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, SOS, a domestic violence support line, fielded over 50,000 requests for support, and Tracom, a mental health crisis intervention centre, conducted 13,000 interventions. 

Based on these statistics, many people are reaching out to these organisations instead of the cops. But why?

Claudine Thibaudeau, SOS’s manager of support and training, said that it may be due to the high stakes associated with taking action through the police. 

“For example,” she said, “Let’s say I’m with my partner, and we live together. He hits me, and I press charges. He’s going to be arrested, he might be incarcerated, he might lose his job. That’s gonna impact me.”

Involving police can also be stressful for people without proper legal documentation. The SPVM recommends going to a hospital or local community services centres, known as CLSCs for psychological aid. But as Maria Lorelli, Tracom’s clinical administrative coordinator, pointed out, these services typically require registration with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec. 

Tracom clients do not need to be registered, which allows them to help people who may not have proper legal status. They also do not need any form of medical diagnosis to receive aid. “Some of the people we see don’t want to consult, and they don’t want a diagnosis or medication,” Lorelli said.

According to Thibaudeau, another reason for people to avoid calling the SPVM is because pressing charges is not always a safe option for victims. In one such case, Nathalie Piché, a 55-year-old woman, filed domestic violence charges against her spouse with the SPVM in December 2020. After he signed a peace warrant pledging to not bother her, the charges were dropped. Later that year, Piché was killed by the same man.

The care provided by SOS and Tracom also extends beyond what the SPVM can offer. Tracom offers more than interventions, creating safety plans with people in crisis, helping them explore coping tools such as breathing and grounding exercises. SOS’s referral network covers over 4,000 organizations, such as legal aid and shelters. 

“A victim of violence will have many different needs…. [Violent partners] use anything in order to create a prison around a person. Our job is to find out, what can we do to help people break those bars?” Thibaudeau said. 

She added that SOS puts a lot of work into the prevention of domestic abuse by providing education to people who may not even be aware that they are experiencing violence. “It’s almost like a vaccine,” Thibaudeau said. “If you don’t know what subtle kinds of violence look like, you might not recognize it.”

All the people answering the calls at Tracom and SOS have backgrounds in psychology, social work, criminology, psycho-education and similar fields. Once hired, the employees go through a training process (three weeks at SOS, three months at Tracom). In contrast, the SPVM crisis training mainly consists of a mandatory two-day containment and de-escalation training program. “There are a lot of interventions that perhaps could have ended up being in a 911 call, but were diverted to something else,” Lorelli said.

SPVM online resources for domestic violence state that “if you are aware that an attacker is subject to conditions laid down by the Court […] call 911 immediately,” and that “you should speak up as soon as possible to break the cycle of abuse.”

Thibaudeau pointed out that the most crucial aspect of helping victims of intimate partner violence is to not push them into making decisions. “Violence is someone taking away your choices. To help someone, you have to do the opposite,” she said. 

SPVM resources for those experiencing mental crises also remain limited to two options. Their pamphlet on helping a loved one with a disturbed mental state lists the following: Either get the person to go in for a psychological evaluation—no further information is offered on how to do this—or try to get provisional custody over them and force them to have a psychiatric evaluation. This is a distinctly bureaucratic process that entails an applicant to state their case in front of a judge.

“It’s really hard for people to get past the shame involved with not doing well […] The shame sometimes blocks people from reaching out for help,” said Lorelli. “When family or friends call, [we] say ‘Go see that person. Talk to them, show them care, empathy, and then call us together.’”

If you or someone you know needs support, low-stake options are available.

To reach SOS, call +1 (800) 363-9010
To reach Tracom, call (514) 483-3033

Alternatives to the SPVM: The importance of low-stakes alternatives to calling 911Alternatives to the SPVM Read More »

Over-policed and underserved: The stark contrast in police activity in Montreal’s different neighbourhoodsOver-policed and underserved:

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Photo Dorothy Mombrun

Iness Rifay
Local Journalism Initiative

The identity of Jade was concealed for their safety.

Jade was 15 when they first witnessed police violence. 

In the summer of 2016, they and their two friends were walking around the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood, near Martin-Luther-King Park. They all had been drinking and were under the influence. 

“Kids sometimes get into their parents’ alcohol and take it,” they recalled. “We were being loud and having fun.”

“I think someone called the police on us because of that,” Jade added. 

One of Jade’s friends was a taller Black girl of the same age. They believe the officers didn’t think she was a minor because of her height.

Upon arrival, the officers seized the girl and slammed her on the ground. 

“I remember looking over at my friend and feeling so helpless,” Jade said. “They didn’t bother coming to us and asking us who we were.” 

The police officers continued pushing her face on the ground, while asking her about the white friends she was with. According to Jade, the police had kept in close contact with the girl’s brothers, and would often roam around her house. 

“It was ridiculous,” Jade said. “When they asked her about the white girls she was with, it became apparent that they were targeting her because she is a Black person.”

“I didn’t need to be convinced anymore that the police found it easy to be so violent,” they added. “We have murderers walking around on the street.” 

In the past, Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce has borne witness to several instances of police brutality against visible minorities. 

In 1987, 19-year-old Anthony Griffin was arrested for not paying a taxi fare. He attempted to escape the police station, but stopped in his tracks when told to. Police officer Allan Gosset then shot him in the head.

In 1990, Presley Leslie, 26, was shot several times at the Thunderdome dance club. According to the police, Leslie had allegedly fired into the crowd and threatened officers. However, testimonies following his death hinted at Leslie not having carried a firearm. Moreover, the pistol police believed he used had never been checked for fingerprints.

Mohamed Anas Bennis was shot twice in Côte-des-Neiges in 2005 after allegedly attacking a police officer. He was 25.
 
More recently, in 2018, 23-year-old Nicholas Gibbs was shot and killed by officers who alleged he was threatening them with a knife. A video captured the moment when they shot him five times, twice with his back turned. 

“There are no consequences for police who use violence,” said Ted Rutland, a researcher on policing and public safety in Canadian cities. “There has never been a police officer who has permanently lost their job for killing someone in Montreal.”

Additionally, sectors determined to be more “likely to have criminal activity” by the police force see an increased police presence, according to a 2023 report conducted on the SPVM. The report also states that data does not present an explicit enough tie between criminal activity and interventions. 

“More marginalized communities are always going to be suspected of criminality to a greater extent,” Rutland added. 

Amongst the top six neighbourhoods that see the most police interventions, according to self-reported and SPVM data, are Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal-Nord, and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension. 

According to the report, interviews with 69 different police officers found that 85 per cent of them believed racism was not present within the police force, or not to a greater extent than the general population. 

The report found that the overall statements from the officers “are not denying the existence of racism because it’s a truth that disturbs them. They are genuinely convinced that the allegations are false and unfair.” They also allege that when carrying out their duties, they don’t “pay attention to race or gender.”

Rutland believes the issue of racism goes beyond individuals within the police force, but stems from a settler white-colonialist system. “There is a fear of Blackness, of Indigeneity, of the unhoused,” he said.

“There is crime in every neighbourhood. They will all see a certain amount of crime every now and then,” he added, “but the discriminatory, racist and classist way that police resources are deployed means that poorer, more racialized people are just going to get caught for the crimes they commit way more often.”

Some may even be wrongfully charged, such was the case for Mamadi Fara Camara, a Guinean PhD student who was arrested in Park-Extension and detained for six days from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, 2021. He had been charged with attempted murder, assaulting a police officer, and disarming a police officer, all of which were dropped two days later. 

“If he had been arrested in Westmount, or any other upper-class neighbourhood, this mistake would not have been made,” said Amina M’Haia from the Park-Extension Roundtable. “They’re mainly white neighbourhoods.”

Camara sued the city for $1.2 million in damages. A settlement was reached for $347,000.

“I think there is profound systemic racism at play,” M’Haia added regarding Camara’s case.

“When we have a [premier] who won’t recognize that Quebec society has a racism problem, it’s hard to talk about.” Following Joyce Echaquan’s death and the subsequent report that was made, Premier François Legault stated that there was no systemic racism in Quebec.

Data on Park-Extension’s exact racial profiling statistics is difficult to come by, as the borough is grouped with Villeray and Saint-Michel. 

A report was conducted on racism in the sector, but only consulted 45 people, which M’Haia deems unrepresentative. She says a lack of funding is preventing larger-scale studies. 

“I’ve lived in Villeray, and I’ve never seen more police than in Park-Ex,” M’Haia said. “There is racism even in the statistics. As long as we’re immigrants, we’re all in the same basket.” 

M’Haia shared that the complaints on racial profiling the roundtable receives “barely scratch at the surface of the issue.” 

From Jane’s several family trips to Little Burgundy to growing up in Côte-des-Neiges, they found these assumptions to disproportionately impact racialized youth. 

“A lot of kids have had to grow older, faster,” they said. “They’re aware of things that a white family living in Outremont wouldn’t let their kids know.”

Over-policed and underserved: The stark contrast in police activity in Montreal’s different neighbourhoodsOver-policed and underserved: Read More »

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