Jeremy Warren
starphoenix
A highway checkstop west of Saskatoon had at least a few Hells Angels members grumbling about the extra police scrutiny this weekend as the notorious biker gang gathers in the city for a national event.
Saskatoon police and other law enforcement from across Canada erected a checkstop at a weigh station on Highway 16 Thursday and officers were pulling over motorcyclists - most with Hells Angels patches on their clothing - to check names and traffic safety requirements.
"We're just tourists," said an unidentified man talking with a Hells Angels member. "We're here for a party. They always make you jump through these hoops."
Another man, who confirmed his Hells Angels membership but declined to give his name, slumped on his Harley-Davidson as he waited in a line of vehicles for his turn with the police.
"I'm just a grumpy old bugger waiting in line," said the man, whose clothing logos identified him as a White Rock Hells Angels from B.C. "I'm just on holidays. I hope it's fun."
The checkstop is part of a police plan to gather intelligence on the hundreds of Hells Angels expected in Saskatoon this weekend for the "national run." Law enforcement from other Saskatchewan cities and across Canada are also in Saskatoon to help local police monitor the event, which is centred at the Saskatoon chapter's Avenue Q clubhouse.
"There is no one police force in this country that can take on organized crime by themselves so we have to work together in partnerships," said Det. Sgt. Len Isnor of the Ontario Provincial Police biker enforcement unit.
There is little meaning behind the Hells Angels' decision to host their national rally in Saskatoon, Isnor said at a news conference in Saskatoon Thursday, The event is essentially a party for most members, although police have said chapter presidents could meet to discuss club business.
"It was just their turn," Isnor said. "When they have their meetings they put forward proposals, they vote on it and Saskatoon just happens to be the one that got it for 2012."
Isnor said he expects the event to be relatively free of violence since the club wants to avoid legal troubles. Plans are in place to deal with any incidents, including clashes with other local gangs, Isnor said.
"The Saskatoon Police Service and the other law enforcement agencies have a plan if something should happen," he said.
Hells Angels members have been tied to violence, drug trafficking, extortion and other criminal activity across Canada, Isnor said. There are 29 Hells Angels chapters in Canada - including Saskatoon and Regina, with about 20 members each - and more than 400 worldwide, he said. Members maintain they are simply part of a social club for motorcycle enthusiasts.
"A Hells Angels member in Saskatoon has the same power and authority as a member in Vienna, Austria," Isnor said, adding later local members aren't naive to the criminal aspects of the organization. "When they became Hells Angels members, they knew exactly what they were getting into ... They're getting into a criminal organization that is the largest outlaw motorcycle gang in the world."
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Angels+stymied+check+point/6962344/story.html#ixzz21VG80LEj
Saskatoon police and other law enforcement from across Canada erected a checkstop at a weigh station on Highway 16 Thursday and officers were pulling over motorcyclists - most with Hells Angels patches on their clothing - to check names and traffic safety requirements.
"We're just tourists," said an unidentified man talking with a Hells Angels member. "We're here for a party. They always make you jump through these hoops."
Another man, who confirmed his Hells Angels membership but declined to give his name, slumped on his Harley-Davidson as he waited in a line of vehicles for his turn with the police.
"I'm just a grumpy old bugger waiting in line," said the man, whose clothing logos identified him as a White Rock Hells Angels from B.C. "I'm just on holidays. I hope it's fun."
The checkstop is part of a police plan to gather intelligence on the hundreds of Hells Angels expected in Saskatoon this weekend for the "national run." Law enforcement from other Saskatchewan cities and across Canada are also in Saskatoon to help local police monitor the event, which is centred at the Saskatoon chapter's Avenue Q clubhouse.
"There is no one police force in this country that can take on organized crime by themselves so we have to work together in partnerships," said Det. Sgt. Len Isnor of the Ontario Provincial Police biker enforcement unit.
There is little meaning behind the Hells Angels' decision to host their national rally in Saskatoon, Isnor said at a news conference in Saskatoon Thursday, The event is essentially a party for most members, although police have said chapter presidents could meet to discuss club business.
"It was just their turn," Isnor said. "When they have their meetings they put forward proposals, they vote on it and Saskatoon just happens to be the one that got it for 2012."
Isnor said he expects the event to be relatively free of violence since the club wants to avoid legal troubles. Plans are in place to deal with any incidents, including clashes with other local gangs, Isnor said.
"The Saskatoon Police Service and the other law enforcement agencies have a plan if something should happen," he said.
Hells Angels members have been tied to violence, drug trafficking, extortion and other criminal activity across Canada, Isnor said. There are 29 Hells Angels chapters in Canada - including Saskatoon and Regina, with about 20 members each - and more than 400 worldwide, he said. Members maintain they are simply part of a social club for motorcycle enthusiasts.
"A Hells Angels member in Saskatoon has the same power and authority as a member in Vienna, Austria," Isnor said, adding later local members aren't naive to the criminal aspects of the organization. "When they became Hells Angels members, they knew exactly what they were getting into ... They're getting into a criminal organization that is the largest outlaw motorcycle gang in the world."
Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Angels+stymied+check+point/6962344/story.html#ixzz21VG80LEj
