Violent crimes rose in 2022, car thefts skyrocketed: Montreal police
The annual report for the Montreal police service (SPVM) shows that crime went up dramatically in 2022 and, taking COVID-19 pandemic numbers into account, violent crimes have been on the rise overall since 2017. In addition, vehicle thefts skyrocketed, having more than doubled since pre-pandemic years.
According to the SPVM's 2022 Activity Report, there were 27,389 "crimes against the person" reported in 2022, which is up over 2,000 more reports than in 2021 (25,130). That number is substantially higher than pre-pandemic numbers in 2019 (23,694), 2018 (20,593) and 2017 (20,217).
"While it is risky at this time to determine whether this is an emerging trend or to identify the underlying causes, several assumptions can be made," the SPVM said in its report that was released Friday. "The impact of the disruptions experienced during the pandemic, isolation, and erosion of the social fabric are factors that can be considered. Nevertheless, regardless of the reasons, the evolution of crime remains a primary focus of the SPVM."
Homicides continue to trend upward, with 41 reported in 2022, up four from the year prior but higher than by a dozen compared to pre-pandemic numbers: 2019, 25; 2018, 32; and 2017, 24.
Attempted homicides, however, were down to 100 in 2022 from 139 in 2021 and 122 in 2019.
Police say that half of the homicides and 60 per cent of attempted homicides involved firearms. There were more than 1,000 more assaults reported in 2022 (15,818) than in 2021 (14,233), and that number is over 2,000 cases higher than in 2019 (13,275), 2018 (10,918) and 2017 (10,421).
Police said that the majority of the reported assaults are level one assaults, meaning they caused "little or no bodily harm."
The SPVM said this stat is in line with pan-Canadian crime trends.
"In Montreal, the number of crimes against the person reported in 2022 is in line with this trend with an increase of 21.6 per cent compared to the average in the last five years and 9 per cent compared to 2021," the report says.
Sexual assaults, however, were down from 2,365 to 2,208 in 2022, but that number remains higher than the pre-pandemic numbers which averaged 1,888 between 2017 and 2019.
CAR THEFTS SKYROCKET
While police reported a rise in robberies (2,468) in 2022 from 2021 (2,102), the numbers are relatively stable since 2017.
However, motor vehicle thefts, which is a separate category, rose to 9,583 in 2022 up from 6,527 in 2021 and more than double the pre-pandemic numbers: 4,321 in 2019, 4,345 in 2018 and 4,816 in 2017.
"Because the COVID-19 pandemic created supply challenges of all types, the supply of new vehicles and parts has been significantly reduced in the province, North America and around the world. However, demand remained as high as ever," the SPVM said.
"Criminals are therefore increasingly interested in exporting stolen vehicles and selling them overseas. The gradual development of new technological methods also gives thieves more tools and helps them steal vehicles much more quickly."
OPPOSITION REACTION
The city's opposition party - Ensemble Montreal - took credit for pressuring the administration of Mayor Valerie Plante to allocate more resources to police.
"After two years of pressuring the administration, Ensemble Montréal is relieved that measures are finally being taken to remedy the severe lack of personnel," said opposition public safety spokesperson Abdelhaq Sari. "These recruits should have been added a long time ago. They won't be in the field until 2024, but we need them immediately; this summer is shaping up to be a hot one in terms of crime, according to several experts. To this end, we've been calling on the Plante administration for the past year to present a complete and detailed summer plan to combat crime, including measures to prevent violence."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.