Public Safety in Focus
MRC Pontiac and Sûreté du Québec’s 2023 Recap
Sophie Demers
Local Journalism Initiative
MRC PONTIAC – The annual Sûreté du Québec (SQ) Activity Report, covering April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, summarizes the activities of the MRC’s Public Safety Committee relating to crime and the SQ’s Pontiac detachment.
“I believe the public was well-protected. Crimes against persons remain a priority. While we have the right number of officers for the reported crimes, the large territory remains a challenge for response times. The two police cadets who worked with us over the past two summers received excellent feedback. The Council of Mayors has agreed to welcome
four cadets in 2025, depending on candidate availability,” said Alain Gagnon, Mayor of Bryson and Chair of the Public Safety Committee.
During the reporting period, the committee focused on two main priorities: improving traffic safety (both on and off road) and addressing criminal matters, including graffiti, break-ins, and drug use.
SQ’s Pontiac station conducted 693 road patrols and 26 off-road patrols for quad riders, snowmobilers, and boaters. Of the road patrols, 295 were carried out in the evening, between 3 p.m. and midnight, to monitor crime-prone times.
Elected officials made two key requests to the Sûreté in the past year: addressing speeding in Danford Lake and managing excessive noise in Rapides-des-Joachims. Patrols were conducted, resulting in 10 speeding tickets, while operational files were opened and managed with Rapides’ director general to address the noise issue.
Several prevention initiatives were implemented, including domestic violence simulations for protocol training, cybersecurity, bullying prevention, and alcohol and drug awareness presentations at local schools.
Regarding vehicle collisions, there were 259 incidents, continuing a downward trend from previous years.
This included two fatal collisions, down from four the previous year, and two collisions with serious injuries. There were also 43 minor injury collisions.
Other enforcement actions included 24 nautical warnings, 50 impaired driving interventions, and 258 total warnings. Additionally, 60 statements were issued for public safety and good order, and 23 for nuisances.
SQ intervened in 239 crimes against persons, including 18 sexual assaults and 133 assaults. For property crimes, there were 181 incidents, including three cases of arson, 21 vehicle thefts, 42 frauds, and 32 instances of mischief.
A cannabis eradication operation launched in August and September 2022 led to the eradication of 92 plants in Pontiac. Eight illegal production sites were identified, and four arrests were made.
