Pubdate: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2004 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Vito Pilieci Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/gangsterism POLICE NEED HELP FIGHTING GANGS Bevan Wants Charges Under Federal Organized Crime Law Police Chief Vince Bevan says the city has a serious problem with "gang violence and organized cocaine trafficking" and he is asking the federal government for help. At a meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board last night, Chief Bevan said gangs have grown to a point where they have become organized, dealing in drugs, guns and other criminal activities. He said police discovered how serious the problem was in the capital after investigating the killing of Bashir Sahal last summer. Mr. Sahal was shot in his fourth-floor Caldwell Avenue apartment in August. Police believe he was killed by members of an Ottawa street gang called Ledbury Banff Crips. "What we've found out during the investigation into the murder of Bashir Sahal has caused some concern," said Chief Bevan. "When we take you through what has been going on in the past 16 or 17 months, I think you will see the kind of concern that the community should have." Since then, Chief Bevan said police have identified at least six gangs within the city's limits that are of concern. "Ottawa police service will be formulating and implementing strategies and enforcement measures to ensure they are vigorously investigated, prosecuted and dismantled," Chief Bevan said. He wants Crown prosecutors to consider bringing charges under a rarely used article of the Criminal Code, section 467.11, pertaining to "gangsterism." The law was created to deal with organized crime, specifically motorcycle gangs. It says: "Every person who, for the purpose of enhancing the ability of a criminal organization to facilitate or commit an indictable offence under this or any other Act of Parliament ... is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years." Chief Bevan said he is willing to share the evidence unearthed by his detectives during the investigation into the death of Mr. Sahal. He said he believes it is more than enough to hold members of these gangs guilty under section 467.11 of the Criminal Code. "I believe that the conduct detected fits within the parameters of the organized crime and gangsterism section," said Chief Bevan. "On all of the evidence that has been accumulated, analysed and digested, we would be looking in this direction in co-operation with the federal Crown." Ottawa police will hold a meeting this morning at 10:30 a.m. at Police Headquarters on Elgin Street. The chief said he will reveal some of the evidence police have collected at the meeting, which he's calling "Guns and Gangs," as well as highlighting the recent history of the Ledbury Banff Crips. He said he will show photographs and maps detailing their activities. Chief Bevan said the history will showcase the activities of the Ledbury Banff Crips between Jan. 1, 2003 and Apr. 14, 2004. As part of the presentation, the chief is expected to showcase ways that area residents can help police to fight the increase in gang violence. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin