Firefighter faces voyeurism, drug charges
A firefighter from a station in Pierrefonds has been arrested and charged with voyeurism and drug trafficking. One of his accusers was a tenant of a building he co‑owns in Laval. More news of charges against Alexandre Bleau.
Update: The firefighters’ union is washing their hands of him.
Blork 13:20 on 2025-01-25 Permalink
Creepy, for sure, but I’m curious as to why everyone is emphasizing that he’s a firefighter. That doesn’t seem relevant to his creepy activities. If he were and accountant or a truck driver would the reports be putting ACCOUNTANT or TRUCK DRIVER so forward in the reports? Why pick on firefighters?
Kate 14:37 on 2025-01-25 Permalink
Several possibilities:
1. Firefighters tend to be regarded, in a low-key sort of way, as honourable and heroic, and this breaks with the ideal.
2. Firefighters are on the public dime, so we have a collective investment in them that we don’t in a (privately employed) accountant or truck driver.
3. There’s no indication whether Bleau was misusing his position or equipment to do his voyeuring*, but there’s a sort of awful comic mental picture of a guy in firefighter rig using the fire ladder to rise to a second- or third‑storey window and peer in.
*but see H. John’s comment below
Tee Owe 15:17 on 2025-01-25 Permalink
Kind of agree with Blork – everything you say, sure, but these are both criminal offenses regardless of who you are to commit them, why does it matter what your day job is – ?
Tee Owe 15:24 on 2025-01-25 Permalink
Adding to that – his voyeurisrm related to his being a landlord, not a firefighter – the drug trafficking charge is also irrelevant to being a firefighter, as far as I can see
H. John 17:00 on 2025-01-25 Permalink
The CBC article does mention that he is alleged to have used the fire station for some of his videos:
“He allegedly produced video recordings of several women without their knowledge in Laval and Montreal, including at Station 57.”
Kate 17:10 on 2025-01-25 Permalink
If what that means is that he was spying on his coworkers as they changed for work, throw the book at him. Thanks, H. John.
Ian 12:36 on 2025-01-26 Permalink
There’s a reason that the term is ACAB not AFAB. As Kate points out, firefighters are generally well-liked and respected, and seen as “good guys”. Abusing that power for something so petty and lurid makes it even worse. Voyeurism? Meth? That’s small change, pal. Way to blow it over peanuts.
Major Annoyance 21:52 on 2025-01-26 Permalink
@ Kate:
4) Montreal firefighters constitute a blatantly racist institution. Do tell me if you’ve ever seen even *one* that’s a member of a visible minority. It’s right and just to point out each and all of their shortcomings at every available opportunity until this repulsive situation changes.
Kate 00:46 on 2025-01-27 Permalink
Major Annoyance, that’s as may be, but my three points were intended to counter Blork’s argument that the suspect’s occupation is irrelevant to the news story. Going by the reports so far, systemic racism doesn’t enter into it.
I’m not saying systemic racism is unimportant, only that it doesn’t appear to be a factor in this story, unless other information comes out.