Whistleblowers speak of rock or egg shooters targeting cars, house windows and building facades. Some claim that the pump track is the scene of intimidation, violent acts and vandalism. Several publications on the neighborhood Facebook group bear witness to these acts since its opening.
“I work in an industrial environment and I have heard things about it in my life. But what I hear almost every evening makes my ears turn red,” reports a resident who lives near the green park. The latter chose to remain anonymous, so as not to be targeted by those who would commit various misdeeds. He also says he saw young people targeting another with rocks, probably collected in the gravel that makes up the pump track.
Designed to allow users, especially young people, to practice bikecross (BMX), the new infrastructure would attract many much older people who would exclude younger people, according to certain witnesses.
“Adult slip-ups” on social networks
Also a member of the neighborhood, teacher Julie Tremblay is saddened by the current climate, although initially, she was very happy with this addition. “It’s such a beautiful place and a great project for young people. It must not be spoiled by the escalation of the situation,” she explains, denouncing for her part certain Facebook publications which she considers harmful to the lives of the young people concerned.
“I know the young people in the neighborhood because of my work. They are all fine, in my opinion. […] It probably requires more security supervision. Adult slip-ups on social media are useless. On the contrary, it makes the situation worse,” adds the teacher. Some publications provoked debates between neighborhood residents. Many want this to be resolved between parents, rather than on social networks.
The teacher published a message calling for calm on June 5. The initiative was welcomed by many Internet users.
For some time now, I have seen a lot of publications related to certain issues surrounding young people in the neighborhood. So I called on the street work service so that there would be awareness in the neighborhood. Obviously, these people are qualified to work with young people aged 12 and over.
So, if you experience disturbing, frustrating or worrying situations, I invite you to contact the Chicoutimi street work service or the police directly. This will allow stakeholders to better understand the various issues, to carry out prevention and to educate our young people who are our allies.
Don’t forget that young people are learning and that there are qualified people to intervene adequately.
— Extract from the message published by Julie Tremblay on June 5, 2024.
All the people arrested by The Daily stated that the problem is not pump track in itself, but rather its attractive side which would concentrate the presence of mischievous young people in a single place.
“I also want to say that it is a minority of young people who gather in groups in the same place (…) Even if I did not want it at the beginning, I am aware that it will not go away. I just wish something would be done to stop it,” underlines the anonymous neighbor of the green park.
Garbage left behind would also be a problem, according to some neighborhood residents. (The Daily)
“I have to tell you, I’m a little surprised. I would have liked you to call me to ask me how the project was built (…) I am more or less aware of the problems you are talking to me about, but I saw what is happening on social networks. I think it’s a storm in a teacup,” said daily one of the instigators of the project as a member of the neighborhood committee, who collaborated with the city of Saguenay, Janic Lavoie.
According to him, problems of exclusion are probably more linked to a misunderstanding of courtesy when using the pump track. “We see that there is enthusiasm. We wanted to do something for young people and I think we succeeded (…) I think we are in a period of adaptation and that things will calm down during the summer,” he explains.
It is important for him that the current situation does not lead to an abandonment of the green park revitalization project. Janic Lavoie is also of the opinion that the various conflicts between young people or with adults are resolved in a more mature way than on social networks.
Effectively, The Daily observed that some adults went so far as to publish photos of children on Facebook in order to denounce situations that they considered unacceptable, in particular conflicts or alleged acts of intimidation between children.
Julie Tremblay seems to share several possible solutions between the different actors in this matter. An increased police presence (patrollers by car or bicycle), the passage of street workers, the development of other infrastructure and the addition of surveillance cameras are all means that were put forward during interviews with The Daily.
Janic Lavoie believes that the upcoming additions to the green park site will make it possible to separate the masses of young people and provide a certain amount of passive surveillance by increasing attendance at the site. These new facilities were the subject of discussions with the City and construction could begin this summer.
Other infrastructure will be added to the bikecross track, which is located in a mostly empty grassy area. (Tom Core/The Daily)
“We want to make a racing track three or four meters wide, with three or four lanes. We already know that young people run to this place,” reports the municipal councilor of the sector, Michel Potvin.
Aware of the current situation, Michel Potvin says he will discuss with the police to see with them the possibility of increasing surveillance in this sector, which is not considered a “hot” corner of the city. He still believes that most of the work must come from the parents of the children concerned.
“The police intervene two to three times in primary schools per week. The St-Isidore school (in the Rivière-du-Moulin district) is no exception. It’s sad, but that’s how it is,” says the advisor.
