Montreal teens, parents, teachers asked to help explain wave of violence in upcoming forum
Worried about gun violence among Montreal's teens? So are police, the mayor and many others, after a series of fatal shootings -- but they say they need more information about what's led to this.
They're planning to ask the teens themselves, along with youth organizations and parents, in a three-day forum starting this Thursday.
"The idea is really to talk about how it has changed, share knowledge again... whether you're in a school or a non-profit organization at the grassroots level," said Mayor Valerie Plante.
Teens and their parents must sign up in advance for the day that's open to them.
Police have called for such a forum for the past few months, saying the issue was spiralling out of control, and one
"The fact that youth now, regarding violence, are less inclined to take it seriously, is a major issue for us and very complex to address as a police service," said Vincent Richer of Montreal police.
"[Even if] we're going to arrest someone... we don't solve the issue."
Not all youth violence involves guns. Most recently, this month, 16-year-old Lucas Gaudet was stabbed to death outside a high school in Pointe-Claire. In October, 16-year-old Jannai Dopwell-Bailey was killed in very similar circumstances in Cote-des-Neiges, also in broad daylight.
Guns have claimed the lives of at least two other teens in recent months, however: Thomas Trudel, also 16, was fatally shot in St-Michel in late November, and 17-year-old Amir Benayad died after being shot on a corner in the Plateau.
Teenagers were arrested in two of those cases, and there were no arrests in the other two.
Are you a parent or someone who works with teens and want to share your thoughts about youth violence? Write us at MontrealDigitalNews@bellmedia.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.