Racist behavior at the SPVM | The mayor of Montreal North anticipates difficult weeks
Anger, sadness, a feeling of déjà vu: the next few weeks in Montreal North will be difficult for its community, deplores the mayor of the borough, in reaction to allegations of racism within a team from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
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“We didn’t do enough,” said Christine Black during her first media outing since last Friday’s revelations.
The Montreal police intervened two days ago to dismantle a team of night patrollers from the Montreal-North borough. Members are suspected of repeated and coordinated racist behavior targeting black and Arab people. Some agents are said to have cut the hair of apprehended men in order to make trophies. An investigation is underway, but there are no criminal charges at this time.
“People find it very difficult. We’ve been working here for 25 years. There is a lot, a lot of frustration. It’s as if, [malgré] all these years, we are going backwards,” she summed up, with tears in her eyes.
She encouraged citizens to collaborate in the SPVM investigation. “If you have been a victim or witness of profiling or discrimination, I invite you to come forward to the authorities. »
Broken trust
Busy and difficult weeks lie ahead, Christine Black warned. We will have to rebuild the bridges that have been broken.
Trust is precious and fragile, and it is being undermined.
Christine Black, mayor of Montreal North
Racial profiling and the sometimes difficult relations between certain citizens and the police are not new subjects, admitted M.me Black. The extent of Friday’s revelations, however, surprised her and generated shock waves in Montreal North.
“It will not define our community. We know how to get back up,” added the mayor.
She also spoke directly to journalists, pleading that it was necessary to avoid stigmatizing a sector of the metropolis which is often poorly portrayed in the media, according to her. “Montréal-Nord is too often reduced to its difficulties. Behind this story, there are people, families and organizations. It’s a neighborhood that’s worth a lot more than the headlines. »
A demonstration in front of the district’s neighborhood station is planned for Monday evening. The mayor called on the population to gather calmly. “Montréal-Nord does not need to have other difficult situations,” explained Mr.me Black.
