Outlaws chapter in city

OFF THE WIRE
By SARAH DEETH , EXAMINER POLICE WRITER
The Peterborough area is host to its own, bona-fide chapter of the Outlaws biker gang.
Det.-Sgt. Len Isnor, with the OPP's biker enforcement unit, told The Examiner Tuesday that police have confirmed the biker gang has set up shop on the outskirts of the city.
On Nov. 6 police officers set up a roadblock on Lansdowne St. W., right in front of a boarded-up house.
At the time, they couldn't confirm with any certainty the house was being used as a clubhouse.
"We're confident to say now that that is a Peterborough Outlaw chapter now," Isnor said.
During the roadblock officers were checking the identification of everyone going on and off the property that day.
Isnor said they managed to gather a fair bit of information about the group, including who they are and whom they're associating with.
Police will continue to monitor the club, he said.
"In other words, we're going to have a good look at these guys," he said.
To help local law enforcement get a good grasp of the situation, a special training session was held Sunday for members of city police, Peterborough OPP and officers from neighbouring police forces including Port Hope, Cobourg and Curve Lake.
Isnor said they discussed the history of biker activity in the area and the role gangs have played in drug activity.
It is the first time the Outlaws have blatantly set up in Hells Angels territory, he said.
City police Deputy Chief Steve Streeter said bikers have always had a presence in the area.
The new clubhouse makes them more visible, he said, and keeps them on police radar.
The training helps keep everyone up to date, he said, and gives local forces the same level of knowledge the biker unit has.
"I think the reason for this, and the outcome, was to put everybody on the same footing."

sdeeth@peterboroughexaminer.com