New Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher smiles after being sworn in during a ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Montreal’s new police chief says he’s seeing progress in the fight against gun crime after 100 days in office.
Fady Dagher told reporters today that between Jan. 1 and April 30, there was a single murder committed with a gun in the city – down from five during the same period the year before.
Dagher says the number of attempted murders with guns and of discharges of firearms also dropped during the first four months of the year compared with the same period the year before.
Dagher, who was sworn in Jan. 19, says he’s focused on improving recruitment and retention, as well as on building relationships with community organizations.
The chief says a new contract increasing police salaries by 20 per cent over five years will make the force more attractive.
He says police are also investigating a wave of firebombings targeting Lebanese cafés.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2023.
