Quebec investing over $5.6 million to fight organized crime in Montreal

Quebec will invest $5.67 million to set up an intervention team to fight organized crime in Montreal. The provincial public security minister made the announcement on Monday.

The team will be comprised of 10 Sûreté du Québe (SQ) officers who will work closely with the Montreal, Laval and Longueuil police forces.

The new squad’s mandate will be to ensure a presence in areas frequented by organized crime members, in particular to increase the sense of security of business owners and citizens who frequent these places.

“Countering gun violence is a priority for me and for our government. We want to enhance the public’s sense of security, and that’s why we’re strengthening police presence on the ground in critical areas. I am convinced that increased collaboration and intensified operations targeting individuals linked to street gangs will improve the quality of life of citizens in Montreal, Laval and Longueuil, who wish to frequent public places in complete peace of mind,” said François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Estrie region.

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The goal is to dissuade organized crime members from using firearms in public places.

“Thanks to the creation of this team, the additional police presence will help maintain pressure on individuals involved in armed violence and gather intelligence to prevent it. The deployment of these concerted police actions mobilizing several police forces is the expression of a shared desire to curb gun violence and restore a sense of security in our affected communities,” said Johanne Beausoleil, Director General of the Sûreté du Québec.

5,67 M$ pour la mise en place d'une équipe d'intervention exclusivement consacrée à la lutte contre le crime organisé dans la région de Montréal. (com) https://t.co/p4eTD6oXYy pic.twitter.com/Y0lNYLZohA

— Sécurité publique Qc (@secpubliqueqc) May 29, 2023

Over the past few years, the province’s main municipal police forces have already set up organized crime intervention teams: the SPVM’s Éclipse, the Service de police de Laval’s Équinoxe, the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil’s Brigade d’intervention multidisciplinaire, and those of the SQ on the North and South Shores (Montreal), as well as in the Quebec City region. This marks the start of a new era of close collaboration, with particular emphasis on cooperation between the various police forces of the SQ and Greater Montreal.