Longueuil police want to put a brake on the Longueuil metro users who pass the turnstiles without paying, as the phenomenon is persistent, according to the authorities, who see all colors.
“This is a resort of 68,” insists William Kruse, sergeant with the multidisciplinary intervention brigade, at the Longueuil agglomeration police (SPAL).
He was part of the fifteen police officers and special constables from the Montreal Transport Company (STM) dressed in civilian clothes on Friday morning at the Longueuil-Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station.
William Kruse, sergeant at the Multidisciplinary Intervention Brigade, at the Police Service of the Agglomeration of Longueuil (SPAL)
Martin Alarie / Journal de Montreal
The newspaper was able to attend their operation, which aimed to surprise the citizens sneaking through the turnstiles. In one morning, no less than 53 reports of offense were given.
“We are here to get a clear message. This is zero tolerance, ”underlines Sergeant Kruse, who organizes such deployment randomly during the year.
The troops are then deployed on the platform so that they can easily identify the faulty customers.
Different profiles
They can be young or old adults, people in homelessness … or complete businessmen.
Rather than paying $ 4.75 or $ 3.25, according to prices, they end up with a total fine of $ 234. Offenders still dare to redo the time in the moments following their arrest, it was able to observe.
This young man was arrested for crossing the cure without paying his ticket.
Martin Alarie / Journal de Montreal
During the operation on Friday, while waves of citizens flocked, the agents were on the lookout to identify the many bad payers.
“I stopped counting them,” says one of the agents.
Through the hubbub, they have no choice but to run to catch up with those who choose to ignore or flee them.
-To avoid any overflow, “collaborates, being respectful, gives your identity document,” says William Kruse.
This young man was mastered by peace agents after being surprised in the turnstile.
Martin Alarie / Journal de Montreal
A young man visibly deviated from the instruction. He had the bad idea to grab the officer who called him, triggering a skirmish.
“Do not move!” Suddenly launched an agent in current to make up for the faulty user.
Current surveys
These apparently banal interventions can lead to criminal accusations, for example to hinder the work of a peace agent. Just on Friday, four people presented the handcuffs for non-compliance with the conditions or due to an arrest warrant.
Information is also transported to correctional services or other police corps to contribute to current surveys.
A user seems to dodge the bars of the turnstile to avoid paying a ticket.
Martin Alarie / Journal de Montreal
For example, in our way, a person caught in the act was finally wanted … by the Toronto police.
In another case, a woman was in the presence of a man, despite a condition imposed by the court in a case of domestic violence.
«On a I des des over stay. These are people who return with a worker, visitor, student visa and who do not renew their visa, ”also said Sergeant William Kruse.
“It’s still an excellent day,” he summarizes, satisfied with the work accomplished.
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