The city of Longueuil is facing a concerning increase in youth-related crimes involving weapons, with a sharp rise of 64 per cent since 2021. Minors between the ages of 12 to 17 are now found to be responsible for one in every five violent crimes in the area.
Recent data released by the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) on Monday has raised significant concerns among authorities.
According to the police, there has been a 42 per cent increase in the number of minors engaging in violent offenses compared to the period before the pandemic.
In the previous year, a total of 144 minors, with an average age of 15, were charged with offenses against individuals. Shockingly, 14 of these cases involved weapons such as firearms, knives, pellet guns, and pepper spray.
In light of these alarming statistics, law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations are collaborating to enhance patrols and implement prevention programs to ensure the safety of youths and the community.
