SPVM police chief Fady Dagher wants to set the record straight and addressed Montrealers directly on Thursday afternoon to provide an update on criminal events in the city over the past few days – and extortion.
This comes after several arsons on businesses and at least 19 shots being fired on the downtown office building of Emile Benamor – who owns the buildings that burned on Oct. 4 on Notre Dame Street East and March 2023 at Place d’Youville in Old Montreal – a total of nine people died in those fires. No one was injured in the shooting – three young people aged 17, 19 and 20 were arrested – but police would not confirm if the case is linked to extortion.
“I’m here today to set the record straight and reassure all Montrealers. From the outside, I would like to emphasize that the SPVM has always made the fight against organized crime a priority. Both in our investigations and on the field,” he said at a press conference.
He was accompanied by Inspector David Shane, head of communications for the SPVM, and Commandant Francis Renaud, head of the SPVM’s Organized Crime Section.
Police say these criminal events have created a feeling of anxiety among the population, particularly among business owners.
“The phenomenon of extortion is not new; it’s the players involved in organized crime and the context that have changed over time. The SPVM wishes to reassure all citizens that the fight against organized crime is a priority. The SPVM can count on specialized and determined teams, and every means are deployed to ensure the public’s safety,” write the force in a press release.
Renaud said he has seen up to 40 cases of extortion over the summer and the problem is primarily downtown – with a focus on the south region of the area.
“If you are a business owner who has been the victim of a threat, don’t hesitate to contact us quickly to report the situation. Our teams, who have the required expertise, need to be made aware of your situation to be able to help you,” said Dagher.
Although arrests related to organized crime are being made throughout the year. In recent days, for example, the SPVM has apprehended :
– a suspect in connection with an arson attack on a restaurant on rue Jean-Talon, in Saint-Leonard, last weekend;
– three suspects in connection with shots fired at a building on Berri Street Tuesday night;
– and five suspects linked to a drug trafficking network in the West Island. Among other things, the searches led to the seizure of 36 kilos of cocaine.
“However, this type of crime is on the increase, and we’re rolling up our sleeves to deal with it. To maximize our agility and the effectiveness of our operations, I have asked our Organized Crime Section to coordinate all investigations targeting retail extortion crimes. The goal is to maximize the efforts of all SPVM units, whether they be specialized investigation units, regional investigations, operational support teams or the gendarmerie,” said Dagher.
The cooperation of the entire population is important in the fight against organized crime police add.
Anyone with information about criminal activity can contact 911 or their local police station. They can also contact Info-Crime Montréal anonymously and confidentially at 514-393-1133 or via the reporting form available on infocrimemontreal.ca.