When the Playground Becomes a Minefield
Have you noticed that the atmosphere around our schools has changed? It’s not just a feeling. The Longueuil Metropolitan Police Service (SPAL) sounded the alarm this morning, and the findings are stark: violence among minors isn’t just rising—it’s skyrocketing. Patrick Bélanger, the department’s director, revealed staggering figures: between 2021 and 2025, the number of minors involved in violent acts jumped by 42% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
We’re not talking about mere mischief. We’re talking about violent fights, settling scores, extortion, threats, and even arson. Today, within the SPAL’s jurisdiction, one in five people involved in a violent crime is between the ages of 12 and 17. Faced with this growing phenomenon, the police have decided to take a more active role and are announcing a series of concrete actions, working hand in hand with schools and the community.
Weapons in Backpacks and the Code of Silence
What worries the authorities most is the severity of the acts. Backpacks no longer contain just notebooks. The number of crimes committed with a weapon by young people has risen by 64% over the same period. Knives, pepper spray, pellet guns, and even firearms… the arsenal is very real. The average age of these youths charged with crimes against the person in 2025? Barely 15 years old.
Mr. Bélanger recounted a chilling incident that occurred on January 21 near Antoine-Brossard High School. As students were leaving school, an altercation broke out involving youths armed with loaded and lethal weapons, resulting in gunshots and a stabbing. This violence is also spilling over into shopping malls and stores, sometimes orchestrated by criminal groups that recruit near schools.
And when things get out of hand, what do witnesses do? They stay silent. Police officers are facing a veritable “code of silence.” Instead of calling 911 during an assault, young people pull out their phones to film, standing by impassively. Both victims and witnesses refuse to cooperate, mimicking the codes of adult organized crime.
It’s not just in Longueuil: Quebec on alert
If it’s any consolation—or cause for even greater concern—Longueuil is not an isolated case. Data from the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP), obtained by Radio-Canada, shows a significant trend across the province. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of charges against minors increased by 22%, rising from 17,426 to 21,324 cases.
One figure stands out in particular: charges for possession of incendiary materials. These rose from 3 cases in 2022 to 35 in 2024—an astronomical increase of 1,067%. Juvenile crime is undeniably becoming more serious and more frequent throughout Quebec.
The response: visible police presence and digital surveillance
In practical terms, expect to see pairs of police officers—in uniform or plain clothes—in the morning, during lunch, and at the end of the school day. Two specialized analysts have also been hired to monitor activity on social media. Pressure is also mounting on criminal groups: five arrests have already been made recently for extortion and arson, including three minors.
Finally, Patrick Bélanger is issuing a direct appeal to parents. You are not alone, but please remain vigilant. A change in behavior? Tensions in the neighborhood? Don’t ignore them. The safety of our young people begins at home, too.
Source: ici.radio-canada.ca
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