AUSTRALIA, Power to smash outlaw forts

OFF THE WIRE,
WHAT~S NEXT!!!!!!
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/power-to-smash-outlaw-forts/story-e6frf7jo-1225938901727

Dozens of fortified clubhouses belonging to the Hells Angels, Bandidos, Comancheros, and Rebels will be affected by the new laws. Source: AFP

POLICE veterans have welcomed tough new laws allowing cops to tear down fortifications at bikie gxxx clubhouses.

Both the Police Association and the former Western Australian Chief Commissioner who cracked down on bikies in that state have welcomed the laws to tear down fortifications that barricade outlaw motorcycle gxxx clubhouses.

Under the laws, if police suspect premises are being used for organised criminal activity they can get a court order to remove fortifications.

Bob Falconer - who was also a former Victoria Police deputy commissioner - backed the new laws, to be introduced next week.

"Contrary to a statement made by a senior Victorian policeman at a parliamentary inquiry about two years ago, Victoria now has concerns and is taking action (against) outlaw motorcycle gxxxs – excellent move," Mr Falconer said.

He said while the move showed Victoria Police’s view on bikie gxxxs had changed, the laws' success would only be known in time.

Det-Supt Paul Hollowood told a federal parliamentary committee in 2008 that Victorian police had "bigger fish to fry" than outlaw motor cycle gxxxs.

"It is not our number one and it is certainly not our number two or number three problem here in Victoria," Det-Supt Hollowood told the inquiry examining the role of bikie gxxxs in organised crime.

Det-Supt Hollowood, a senior member of the crime department, said outlaw bikie gxxxs had become an unnecessary and unhealthy distraction from police efforts against organised crime.

Police Association boss Greg Davies said the laws put Victoria closer to a level playing field with other states when cracking down on bikie gxxxs.

"We are going to have the same arsenal (to) take care of business a whole better than we can right now," Snr-Sgt Davies said.

"We’re still not right there. There’s no point having certain states with the full range of legislation and us only having part of it. We need anti-association laws as well.

"In the end there has been a victory for common sense. It is better late than never."

In August the Opposition launched a proposal, exclusively revealed in the Herald Sun, to outlaw bikie clubs.

Opposition leader Ted Baillieu branded the Brumby Government’s announcement a "cynical election-eve attempt" to copy the Coalition.

"(John Brumby’s) plans fall well short of the Coalition's tough plan to protect Victorian families from these criminal gxxxs and the threat they represent to law and order," Mr Baillieu said today.

"Only the Coalition's plan will put Victoria at the forefront of tough and effective action against criminal bikie gxxxs by allowing these gxxxs to be outlawed, clubhouse fortifications to be demolished and the clubhouses of illegal gxxxs to be confiscated and sold to benefit the taxpayer."

The changes to the law will affect dozens of fortified clubhouses belonging to the Hells Angels, Bandidos, Comancheros, Rebels and other motorcycle gxxxs.

The new laws will be announced next week after months of talks between the Government and police.

Yesterday, the Herald Sun visited clubhouses fortified by thick steel gates and barbed wire and security cameras in suburban industrial estates, including Campbellfield, Brunswick, North Geelong and nearby Breakwater.

Shootings and torture have occurred at some fortresses, which are also used to store guns and drugs.

The move comes after a series of Herald Sun reports about the influx of bikies into Victoria, which does not have anti-association laws.

Yesterday, it was reported police took a soft approach on the Rebels during their annual national run last weekend - allowing bikies to ride at speeds up to 140km/h as police followed them.

Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones lobbied for the new powers, presenting a detailed plan to former police minister Bob Cameron.

If the bikies fail to comply, police will force them to tear down their forts.

The gxxxs fortify clubhouses to protect them from rival clubs' attacks, and turn them into secure crime dens.

Weapons, including guns, drugs and cash have been found within fortified clubhouses in Victoria.

There are clubhouses dotted across the state, which hosts more than a dozen outlaw gxxxs.

The law will come into effect next year.

"The Government and Victoria Police have had recent discussions about whether anti-fortification laws would assist police to keep the community safer," a Government spokesman said.

"The Premier, John Brumby, said in August that he had an open mind on the issue and would seek advice from Victoria Police."

There will be no change to organised crime legislation to stop bikies associating.

There have been a litany of shootings, bombings and illegal activities surrounding clubhouses.

In 2008, Bandidos enforcer Ross Brand was shot dead outside the club's Geelong compound by a Rebels rival.

The Opposition has promised to introduce tough laws, if elected, to clamp down on outlaw bikie gxxxs.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said: "John Brumby's soft-on-crime approach has turned Victoria into a haven for criminal bikie gxxxs."

The Coalition has pledged to outlaw the clubs and demolish clubhouses .

The United Motorcycle Council - the bikies' political arm - says any plans to stop bikies associating will fail.

"Hitler and Stalin would be proud of these laws," said UMC spokesman "Camel".

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/power-to-smash-outlaw-forts/story-e6frf7jo-1225938901727
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