Montreal's new police chief, Fady Dagher, recently called out his troops to make known his intention to toughen the tone for the coming year, when two shootings have already occurred in as many days since the beginning of January.

The one known for his community outreach was clear in his few messages broadcast live on the airwaves shortly before Christmas and New Year's Day: when the crackdown is needed, he will be there, we have been told. police on condition of anonymity.

Fady Dagher thus perpetuated a tradition by speaking on the airwaves to his thousands of police officers as Christmas approached.

In his wishes, the new leader tried to be reassuring by saying that he invited everyone to take one file at a time.

Chief Dagher also indicated that while the community aspect remains important, enforcing law and order will be a high priority for him.

Airbnb riddled with bullets

And unsurprisingly, the year 2023 has started with a bang for Montreal police officers as two shootings have already broken out in the streets of the metropolis since January 1.

The most recent dates back to the night of Monday to Tuesday, when a Mile-End apartment was riddled with bullets by suspects who have still not been identified.

During the passage of the Journal yesterday, the residents of the building all seemed very nervous and fearful. It must be said that the apartment targeted by at least ten shots would actually be an Airbnb, which is not allowed in this sector of the city, which has been causing a lot of trouble for months.

“There is a lot of coming and going, and we have been complaining to the building manager since September, and nothing has changed, says a resident who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. We see that it is people who are not very popular who come here. I am afraid to enter my house sometimes, it is not normal. »

Four persons of "interest" were met by police shortly after the event, but no arrests were made. Investigators also risk getting their hands on valuable images, while a surveillance camera is installed on the building in question.

Ontario victims

Sunday evening, another violent incident occurred in Mount Royal when a vehicle was the target of several projectiles from a firearm. The driver, a woman in her thirties, was hit in the arm and abdomen. She is now in stable condition. One of the passengers fled before the police arrived and has still not been identified, while the other remained at the scene. At least two of the three individuals involved are from Ontario and were in a vehicle with a license plate from the neighboring province. No arrests have been made.