Montreal break-ins surge to 487 in May — east end hit hardest
At 15.7 incidents per day, May was the busiest month of 2026. Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve alone accounted for 261 break-ins.
Montreal recorded 487 break-ins in May — the highest single-month total of 2026 by a significant margin and a spike from April's 410. The city is on pace for roughly 5,300 break-ins this year, a modest improvement over 2025 but trending upward.
At 15.7 break-ins per day, May's rate reflects a seasonal pattern: warmer months consistently drive higher crime across the island. The data comes from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) via the city's Vue sur la sécurité publique interactive mapping tool.
The east end is absorbing the heaviest concentration. Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve remains the single biggest hotspot with 261 incidents. Central Montreal follows with 156, while Verdun on the south shore posted 119. Montreal North recorded 67 incidents, and the François-Perrault corridor registered 77.
In contrast, west-end neighborhoods — Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Pointe-Claire, and Beaconsfield — continue posting modest numbers compared to central and eastern clusters.
Historically, summer months drive annual totals significantly. In 2025, October alone accounted for 579 incidents. How the next few weeks unfold will shape whether 2026 finishes better or worse than last year's 6,139 break-ins. Residents can check activity on their street through the SPVM's interactive map on the City of Montreal's website.