When the playground becomes a minefield
Have you noticed a change in the atmosphere around our schools? It’s not just your imagination. The Longueuil Police Department (SPAL) sounded the alarm this morning, and the findings are shocking: violence among minors is not increasing, it is exploding. Patrick Bélanger, the director of the service, revealed some staggering figures: between 2021 and 2025, the number of minors involved in violent acts jumped 42% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
We’re not talking about simple schoolyard fights. We’re talking about violent brawls, gangland killings, extortion, threats, and even arson. Today, in the SPAL’s jurisdiction, one in five people involved in violent crime is between the ages of 12 and 17. Faced with this growing phenomenon, the police have decided to take action and have announced a series of concrete measures, in collaboration with schools and the community.
Weapons in backpacks and the code of silence
What worries the authorities most is the seriousness 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 real. The average age of these young people accused of crimes against the person in 2025? Barely 15 years old.
Mr. Bélanger recounted a chilling event that occurred on January 21 near Antoine-Brossard High School. After school, an altercation involving young people armed with loaded and lethal weapons resulted in gunshots and a stabbing. This violence also spills over into shopping malls and stores, sometimes orchestrated by criminal groups that recruit on the outskirts of schools.
And when things get out of hand, what do witnesses do? They remain silent. Police officers are faced with a veritable « code of silence. » Instead of calling 911 when an assault occurs, young people take out their phones to film, remaining impassive. Victims and witnesses alike refuse to cooperate, copying the codes of adult organized crime.
It’s not just Longueuil: Quebec on alert
If it’s any consolation—or cause for further 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%, 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. This is an astronomical increase of 1067%. Juvenile crime is undeniably becoming more serious and more frequent throughout Quebec.
The response: visible police presence and digital surveillance
So what can be done? For 2026, the SPAL has made the fight against this type of crime an absolute operational priority. The strategy is clear: maintain a strong presence on the ground. From now until further notice, there will be a visible increase in police presence around and inside schools targeted by intelligence, as we saw this afternoon in front of Antoine-Brossard.
In concrete terms, expect to see pairs of police officers—in uniform or plainclothes—in the morning, at lunchtime, and when school lets out. Two specialized analysts have also been hired to monitor what is happening 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 making a direct appeal to parents. You are not alone, but be vigilant. A change in behavior? Tensions in the neighborhood? Don’t ignore them. The safety of our young people also begins at home.
According to the source: ici.radio-canada.ca
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