Hells Angels roll into town for anniversary

Off the Wire
MCs in the News
By Sherri Zickefoose, Calgary Herald

CALGARY- Hells Angels are rolling into Calgary for their annual weekend gathering of outlaw bikers just outside the city.

The 13th anniversary celebration of the group’s move to Alberta is being held at the local chapter’s clubhouse just east of 84th Street S.E. near Chestermere in the M.D. of Rockyview.

Police won’t speculate how many bikers are flocking to the event, but between 100 and 200 Hells Angels from more than 50 chapters of the organization nationwide typically attend.

On Friday, police were waiting to greet and escort the easily identifiable bikers, visible by the colourful three-piece patch worn on their backs. dominated by the group’s trademarked death’s head logo.

The outlaw crew is on police radar, but officials won’t say if extra officers have been brought in to beef up police presence around the club.

“We do not disclose manpower numbers,” said duty inspector Paul Stacey.

“We have adequate staff available and our response will be balanced, measured and appropriate.”

City police and Mounties are keeping a watchful eye on the bikers but beyond monitoring them aren’t looking to single them out or harass them, Stacey said.

“We work in conjunction with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of our community.”

The Hells Angels established a local chapter by taking over a rival gang, the Grim Reapers, and later absorbing the Kings Crew.

The gang’s old fortress in Bowness was torn down by the city for breaching building regulations, which forced a move to the Crew’s clubhouse in Ogden.

The city bought the Ogden residence from the gang for $345,000 in 2004 to make way for construction on an intersection at Glenmore Trail and 24th Street S.E. last summer.

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