Its awful: Montreal police look to disrupt organized crime and teen recruitment [Video]

Montreal police are ramping up efforts to crack down on organized crime and the recruitment of teens into street gangs, calling on business owners and concerned parents to reach out to them if they need help.

Police Chief Fady Dagher made a public plea Thursday in wake of suspected extortion attempts authorities believe are behind a spate of firebombing of businesses.

“There is a surge in this type of crime and we’re rolling up our sleeves to deal with it,” Dagher said during a press conference.

The development comes after the recent arrests of seven teens between the ages of 14 and 17 who allegedly belong to a gang based in the city’s St-Léonard borough. Despite their young age, police said they are suspected in numerous violent crimes including robbery, firearms offences, arson and extortion.

Montreal police are working closely with other police forces, the province’s Crown prosecutor’s office and …