Pubdate: Mon, 13 Jul 2015
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Otiena Ellwand
Page: A1
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

POLICE FEAR SURGE IN BIKER VIOLENCE

Say Outlaw Gangs Are Competing for Fewer Dollars in a Slowing Alberta Economy

Police are concerned the downturn in the economy will result in 
increased violence in Alberta, as competing motorcycle gangs chase 
fewer dollars in the drug trade.

In the past five years as the economy boomed, outlaw biker gangs 
"exploded" and spread throughout the province, said Insp. Darcy 
Strang of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams.

But now, with the crash in oil prices, officers are worried those 
gangs will become more cutthroat to maintain market share.

"We could see more and more violence just because of this aspect of 
the business model, (it) needs to make enough money," he said.

"If you're selling in my area and I'm kind of hurting for cash, and 
we're not friends anymore ... I probably would like to get rid of 
you, most likely, so I can take over."

Outlaw motorcycle gangs have effective business models, with rules, 
regulations, fines and a rigid rank-and-file structure, Strang said.

At the top are the Hells Angels.

There are five chapters of the motorcycle club in the province - made 
up of a minimum of six full-patch members - of the 31 active chapters 
and close to 400 members across Canada.

There are two Hells clubhouses in Edmonton, one in Red Deer and two in Calgary.

While there are more chapters in Ontario - a total of 14 - it's the 
number of groups that provide support to the Hells Angels in Alberta 
that concerns law enforcement.

The Hells Angels have 24 supporting groups in the province, an 
increase of more than 300 per cent the past few years, said Det. 
Staff-Sgt. Len Isnor, an expert on the Hells Angels with Ontario's 
Biker Enforcement Unit. There are more Hells Angels supporting groups 
in Alberta than elsewhere in Canada.

The support groups do the Hells Angels' "dirty work." They may deal 
drugs, collect debts or use their muscle. They may be biker 
enthusiasts with no criminal records that act as a smoke screen for 
the gang's criminal activity, Isnor said.

People who want to become full-patch members join a support group to 
prove their loyalty, working their way up through the gang's hierarchy.

"These people are all trying to become Hells Angels members someday. 
They'll do anything for them. It insulates (the Hells Angels) from 
prosecution," Isnor said.

"It's much more difficult and much more costly for us to get the true 
criminal. The person who is profiting from this is the Hells Angels 
member. He is already at the top of the pyramid."

Prior to 2014, the number of Hells Angels support groups expanded 
from three to 24.

While the Hells Angels are the dominant group, there are four other 
international biker gang chapters in the province - the Warlocks, the 
Rebels, the Loners and the Bandidos - but they do not have support groups.

Alberta became a breeding ground for these gangs because of its 
booming economy, disposable income and affluent small towns, Strang said.

"If there's disposable cash that people have, then they want to be 
around to collect that through illegitimate means."

Attaining a monopoly in one area makes it easier to do business 
because of the intimidation factor, he said.

But with oil prices taking a tumble and job losses in the oilpatch, 
the drug business might also decline for motorcycle gangs.

There could be a rise in turf wars as members become more 
competitive, protective and selfish with their business transactions, 
Strang said.

Drayton Valley has seen conflict erupt between warring motorcycle gangs.

Between 2011 and 2014, there were 20 documented incidents between the 
Hells Angels and the Warlocks in the town southwest of Edmonton, 
including a drive-by shooting in a residential neighbourhood, a 
stabbing at a nightclub and a robbery at a clubhouse.

Members from both clubs were arrested and six members of the Hells 
Angels now face organized crime charges, a first for the club in Alberta.

The economy's downward spiral likely won't push any of the gangs out 
of Alberta since the majority of members are born and raised here, 
Strang said. Since 2014, the number of Hells Angels support groups 
have stayed the same.

"At least we're stifling the growth. We're not allowing them to grow 
any further. We have a good handle on the OMG (outlaw motorcycle 
gangs) in Alberta. If something did happen, we would not be behind 
the eight ball."

"What we're trying to do is make it hard for them to do their 
business, that's our job."

- - With files from The National Post
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom