Pubdate: Thu, 08 Mar 2007 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Canoe Inc Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Matt Kieltyka, staff writer POLICE FORM NEW TASK FORCE TO COMBAT GANGS Vancouver police are vowing to meet gangs head-on to curb an escalation in shootings. The department has started up a new 20-officer gang violence task force that will be assigned to monitor known gang members 24/7 and ramp up firearm seizures. "With this initiative, we're going to try to surge and purge gang activity," said Sup. Kash Heed. The new unit is a response to the spike in shootings and homicides in the city within the last two weeks. In that span, there have been six high-profile shootings; two of the victims have died. Police say all the shootings have connections to the drug trade. The problem is deeper than just the six shootings that have made their way to the public. "Drive-by shootings take place almost on a nightly basis in this region but don't go reported," said Heed. "We have to address this." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin