Gun violence dropped in 2023: Montreal police report

Montreal police (SPVM) have reported a large decrease in gun violence events in 2023 compared to 2022, according to a report released Wednesday.

There was a 26 per cent decrease in gun violence events, including firearm discharges, murders, and attempted firearm murders in 2023 from 2022.

With summer underway, the SPVM says they will remain vigilant while increasing police visibility, criminal investigations, prevention, and intelligence.

“We are aware of the importance of continuing our efforts in a sustained manner and thus allowing the population to take full advantage of the beautiful season,” said SPVM Inspector David Shane. “However, a sudden increase in unfortunate events remains possible. That’s why we will continue to make our presence felt on the ground and work on gun violence upstream, in a proactive and integrated manner.”

Crime Report

This year, from Jan. 1 to May 31, the SPVM have had 37 firearm discharge events.

Additionally, there have been nine attempted murders and seven murders by firearm.

Various police units have arrested 118 individuals in connection to incidents involving guns.

In total, the Montreal police has seized 275 firearms connected to criminal investigations or during active patrols.

The data shows a 24 per cent decrease in firearm events compared to the same time last year.

In comparison to first five months in 2022, this year marks a decrease of 42 per cent.

“Gun violence is a societal issue that the police cannot solve alone. We must highlight the important contribution of all the community, institutional and government partners with whom we share this responsibility,” said Shane.

Proactive and integrated interventions

According to a press release, the SPVM set up collectives in 2023, which have carried into 2024: one for the southern and western regions of the metropolis and another for the northern and eastern regions.

The SPVM merged police officers and civilian staff with various expertise to focus on individuals exhibiting high-risk behaviours in terms of gun violence.

“They focus as much on actual or potential suspects as on direct or collateral victims of armed violence, in particular in order to avoid acts of reprisal,” reads the press release. “The collectives also act in prevention by offering targeted individuals alternatives to violence with the support of community and institutional partners.”

Inspector Shane said they saw encouraging results last year, which convinced the SPVM to continue with their collectives.

“By having proactive and integrated field teams, our goal is to work on gun violence upstream and thus prevent shots from being fired on our streets and, when possible, to get young people out of the criminal world,” he said.