A 66-year-old school monitor in Repentigny remains shaken after being assaulted by a group of teenagers. The incident, which occurred on March 3, has left him living in fear of retaliation. Despite being labeled a ‘hero’ by some, he firmly rejects this title, stating that anyone would have acted similarly.
Incident Overview
The violence erupted when the monitor attempted to intervene on behalf of a young girl who was reportedly threatened inside the Boni-Soir convenience store. After seeing a young man exit to alert others outside about the girl’s presence, he felt compelled to step in. This decision led to his brutal attack by multiple teenagers.
Aftermath and Reaction
The former monitor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has since experienced shoulder pain linked to the assault. He admitted, “In hindsight, I shouldn’t have grabbed the teenager, but I felt it was necessary.” He recalled the chaotic scene, noting that between 100 to 150 youths were gathered that day.
- Nine adolescents were arrested following the incident.
- The monitor had been supervising at the convenience store for three years.
Safety Concerns
The local community is also feeling the impact of this violence. Witnesses, including business owner Emilie Fournier, highlighted the chaos that had previously enveloped the area. “It was really like a jungle,” she noted, adding that the increased police presence has brought a sense of calm.
Mayor Nicolas Dufour of Repentigny acknowledged the uptick in police activity around l’Horizon secondary school. However, he emphasized the limitations faced by the police force, mentioning that the city only has four patrol cars available during each shift for a population nearing 100,000.
Community Actions Taken
In response to the recent violence, a group of thirty community stakeholders has convened to draft a plan promoting zero tolerance for violence near schools. Dufour also expressed disappointment over the discontinuation of a funding program for local youth support initiatives, noting that this has coincided with rising violence in the area.
As the situation evolves, the monitor has decided not to file a complaint, prioritizing his safety after the traumatic experience. The community continues to mobilize for better safety measures and support for local youth, aiming to prevent future incidents.
