Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jun 2014
Source: Peterborough This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.mykawartha.com/peterborough-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1794
Page: 28
Author: Todd Vandonk

OUTSIDE GANG MEMBERS MAKING THEIR MARK IN THE CITY

Level of violence is rising from threats to stabbings, detective
says

PETERBOROUGH-- As Detective Constable Ryan Donaldson lifts blood
samples from a Charlotte Street sidewalk, a large crowd of youth
gather at the corner of Charlotte and George streets.

One teen stands out amongst the group. He waves a blue bandana and
says "Respect the Crips."

He brags to his peers that Crips member Stephen Bate is responsible
for a midday stabbing in the heart of downtown Peterborough on May
16.

One man was taken hospital with a stab wound but later released with
minor injuries. Four days later, police issued a warrant for the
arrest of a 22-year-old Stephen Bate in connection with the stabbing.
Mr. Bate is still on the run.

What led to the stabbing is unknown. As well, police can't confirm if
Mr. Bate is associated with the Crips or any other street gang.

But police are concerned a youngster was flashing Crips colours steps
away from the crime scene.

"They are trying to emulate what they think is a gang and that can be
dangerous to them and everyone else around them," says
Peterborough-Lakefield police detective John Stoeckle.

"They actually believe what they are, but we are just not seeing the
continued everyday effect that Toronto is having."

But Det. Stoeckle says there is potential for more violence in
Peterborough if street gang members continue to migrate from Toronto
to sell their drugs. According to the police's 2013 annual report,
violent crime continues to increase.

"We, as a community, have that coming our way or have had it in the
past," adds Det. Stoeckle.

"It is a major concern that every time we take a look in the
community, we have to worry about the potential for violence with weapons."

He says the presence of out-of-town youth gang members leaves a
lasting impression on local youths by using them for small level
street deals.

"They give them the flavour of the day, flash some money and it gives
them the opportunity to feel important or have a connection to be able
to make a lot of money by making connections with larger people," Det.
Stoeckle explains.

The problem is outside gangs have no loyalty to anything but the
bottom line. He says things can spiral out of control when someone is
trying to make a name for themselves and want to make everyone aware
that they are in charge.

"If someone should get out of control, these guys will come in and try
and deal with it and make their power felt," says Det. Stoeckle.

So many players come and go from Peterborough because it is a
lucrative city that has an appetite for drugs.

"There is almost always a connection between drugs and gangs," Det.
Stoeckle says.

And where there are gang members, there are guns.

"We are not as bad as some communities but there are some connections
where people have had shots fired at them in the community," adds Stoeckle.

"A lot of it used to be that they wanted to scare people (by carrying
weapons), and now they are at the point where they want to shoot
people or stab people."