An imposing homeless encampment near a worried primary school in Longueuil

An imposing homeless encampment set up near a primary school in Longueuil, in Montérégie, is causing concern among residents of the residential area where it is located.

Thursday, at least thirty tents were pitched on the land along Després Street, between Bourassa and Joliette streets, a few steps from the École des Petits-Explorateurs and the Claude-Henri Grignon Library, not far from a church which offers accommodation to the homeless, but which has reached its reception capacity.

While some individuals came to settle there several months ago, several homeless people came to plant their stakes recently. Around fifty people now live there.

This clandestine camp has attracted the attention of the police who are regularly visible there, sometimes for simple checks or for prevention, but also to intervene when things get out of hand.

Indeed, certain violent events occurred and required the deployment of SPAL police officers.

The consumption and sale of drugs, as well as the use of bladed weapons are unfortunately part of everyday life in the camp.

“It can be dangerous, because we don’t know… There are some who take drugs, who are medicated. We don’t all know how the world might react. You can fight with knives, with anything,” says one of the occupants of the camp.

A feeling of worry and insecurity is also emerging in the neighborhood.

The mayor of Longueuil, Catherine Fournier, told TVA Nouvelles that she was aware of the situation. She plans to present her game plan on homelessness in the coming days.