Over 400 arson attacks reported in Montreal so far this year

Montreal police say there have been 407 arson attacks in the city this year between January and October – including one that happened at a building in Old Montreal.

On Oct. 4, a mother and her young daughter from France died after the building they were staying in was set ablaze with an incendiary device. Two arrests were made in connection to the case. And just this past week, there were three vehicles torched in separate incidents across the city and an apartment was targeted by arsonists in Montreal North.

“It’s very high because there’s a lot of criminal organizations operating in Montreal. It’s no longer traditional organized crime or the bikers. We have other clans or groups or street gangs. So, we have over 30 that are operating,” said Pietro Poletti, retired Lieutenant Detective of Montreal Police (SPVM).

“One must remember that the victims know who they owe money to, and they know who the suspect is. They’re not very difficult crimes to, uh, to resolve,” added Poletti.

“It’s not Italian organized crime that is behind the arson, although we often hear the Italian word Pizzo, which, in this case, refers to protection money. For example, groups or individuals who represent the criminal organization will present themselves to a business and tell the owner that they need to pay a certain amount. If they don’t pay, then a window might be broken, which prompts the owner to think, ‘maybe I am better off paying’,” said Minh-Tri Truong, retired CMDR. Of Specialized Investigations for Montreal Police (SPVM).

“When there’s a criminal fire it’s not necessarily related to organized crime. It could be personal fraud, an accident, or even the work of pyromaniacs,” added Truong.

The Fire Department is first on the scene to put out the fire, then a team of specialists determine the type of fire. If the fire is of criminal origin, or arson, an accelerant like gas is oftentimes found at the scene, said Truong. Out of Montreal’s 407 criminal fires, 151 were on properties and 96 were vehicles.

“When related to organized crime, vehicle arson can be a first warning to the targeted person or people. A car can also be burned because it was used in a crime,” said Truong.

The experts agree that reporting these crimes is essential.

“I investigated extortions like this in the 90s, specifically in Asian communities, where the citizens rallied together and brought their concerns to the police. We were able to proceed with arrests and the extortion stopped, so it’s important,” said Truong.

“We have to improve our means of communication first. Second, people have to have trust in the police. I think we’ve lost it throughout the years. We have to rebuild that. And it’s not very difficult to rebuild. You know, they have to be more stringent. More disciplined within the ranks,” said Poletti.

Anyone with information on any arson case is asked to call info crime at 514-393-1133 or online. All reports will remain anonymous and confidential.