Canada - Is Winnipeg a gangster's paradise?

OFF THE WIRE
BY: MORGAN MODJESKI
 metronews.ca
Rock Machine, Hells Angels, Redlined have exchanged shots in area neighbourhoods
Shootouts are becoming commonplace in Winnipeg because new gangs are moving in to fill the void left by the jailing of Hells Angels members, an expert says.

Len Isnor is a detective sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police biker enforcement unit, and an expert on the Hells Angels. He praised the work done by the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP over the last decade.

“The boys have done a good job,” said Isnor. “Across this country, the Hells Angels have not had a monopoly like they used to, and it’s causing a lot of other little groups to pop up.”

Earlier this week, Winnipeg police reluctantly confirmed the city is experiencing a crime wave related to escalating gang tensions. It’s believed to be a turf war between Quebec’s Rock Machine, a gang that has only recently moved into Winnipeg, and the Hells Angels-affiliated gang Redlined.

While the Winnipeg Police Service politely turned down requests for interviews, Isnor said having fewer Angels on the streets means new rules.

“Nobody was able to start a club, because if they started a club, the Hells Angels would be right there (saying), ‘Who said you could start a club? We never sanctioned you. We never sponsored you. If you’re going to have a club, you’re working for us.’”

Sources, including a former gang member, have told Metro that members of both the Rock Machine and Redlined have approached drug dealers in the city and been asking about their loyalty.

The former gang member asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.

Calgary police Det. Doug Greaves said the fight for control over the drug trade can get violent.

“Is that (violence) going to escalate to murder? We can’t predict that,” said Greaves.

He added that he’s seeing a similar pattern in Edmonton.

“There have been incidents of violence in the last year between (the Hells Angels and the Rock Machine), and I would imagine that as long as those two groups..
... are there, there will be more violence.”

GANG PROFILES

The Hells Angels
The Hells Angels expanded into Manitoba in 2000 after incorporating local biker gang Los Bravos.
It took three major police investigations/raids, called Project Defence, Project Drill and Project Divide, to execute warrants against most of the Manitoba chapter of the Hells Angels, ending in 2009.

The Rock Machine
Originally formed in 1986 in Quebec, the gang would become involved in the Quebec Biker War lasting from 1994 to 2002. Innocent bystanders were among the 160 who were killed during that period. Absorbed into the Banditos biker gang, the Rock Machine broke away in 2007 to
re-form as an independent group.

Associated with the drug trade, the gang has moved into Manitoba and now Winnipeg in an attempt to take over the void left by the Hells Angels.  metro

Redlined
Commonly referred to as the Redlined Support Crew, this is a puppet gang of the Hells Angels.

Redlined formed recently, only within the past year.

It has clashed with Rock Machine members in the past in Winnipeg, including one incident where a member of the Rock Machine was lured into a St. Mary’s Road store late last year and beaten by Hells Angels members with a stool.

YOUR THOUGHTS

There have been several gang-related shootings in the last two weeks. Do you think this type of violence will stop with all the media and police attention, or do your think it will continue?

Ed Buell, 51, Valley Gardens
“I think it will continue. Historically, Winnipeg is known for a lot of violence, and a lot of it’s gang-related. The police don’t seem to be doing anything about that.”

Kelechi Asagwara, 20, St. Norbert
“I think people in the downtown area might be a bit more cautious, maybe walking in groups, things like that. I definitely know me and my family have talked a lot about those recent shootings.”

Daniel Greyeyes, 25, Northend
“It probably will continue. Just because there are more cops around, it doesn’t really matter. It can happen on any corner at any time. I really don’t think it will change that much.”

Rosechelle Basilan, 36, West Kildonan
“It’s good that we’re aware of it. I think the condition is within the community.... If there’s some visibility and people are aware that we should take care ... maybe it will be lessened.”