Montreal Police and Politicians Address Rising Teen Involvement in Organized Crime

Authorities urge parental vigilance and legislative action as more youths are recruited by gangs for violent crimes.

Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher has called on parents to stay alert to signs of their children being recruited by gangs, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
A recent spate of arrests highlights the involvement of teenagers, aged 14 to 17, in violent crimes including robbery, arson, and extortion in Montreal.
The Parti Québécois is advocating for legislative hearings to gather insights from parents, police, and community groups on the increasing use of youth in organized crime.
Quebec Premier François Legault has condemned the recruitment of teenagers by criminal organizations as appalling and unacceptable.
Authorities note a shift in organized crime structures in Montreal, with less hierarchical and more volatile cell-type groups, complicating efforts to combat gang activities.