B.C. Anti-Gang Police Warn Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Rides Are ‘Not Just Bike Rides for Fun’

Liam O'Connell

6/12/20262 min read

Police in Nelson, B.C., are warning residents to expect a large presence of outlaw motorcycle gang members in and around the city this weekend.

In a post on Facebook, the Nelson Police Department said more than 50 members from several clubs and chapters are expected to be in the community and on nearby highways from Friday to Sunday.

Police said officers will maintain a visible presence throughout the area and are working with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to co-ordinate their response.

Anti-Gang Police Monitoring Gathering

Sgt. Sarbjit Sangha, a spokesperson for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., said outlaw motorcycle gang rides should not be viewed the same way as regular motorcycle club gatherings.

“These are not just bike rides for fun. Behind the scenes, the story is completely different,” Sangha said. “This is to show off their power in the area.”

Sangha said outlaw motorcycle gangs are considered criminal organizations. She said police often watch for offences such as dangerous driving, drug possession, drug trafficking and firearm possession during similar rides.

The RCMP says outlaw motorcycle gangs operate across Canada, with support clubs sometimes used in drug trafficking, violence and intimidation.

Sangha said CFSEU is aware of the ride taking place in the Kootenay region, including the Nelson area. She said the unit supports local police through intelligence gathering, intelligence sharing and specialized enforcement resources when needed.

Police Say Public Safety Is the Focus

Sangha said the presence of outlaw motorcycle gang members does not automatically mean residents are in danger.

“We can’t generalize the statement that there’s risk to the public,” she said.

She added that police agencies work together ahead of these events to prepare and help maintain public safety.

Nelson police are asking anyone who sees suspicious or criminal activity to call the department’s complaint line at 250-354-3919. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress or an immediate public safety concern should call 911.

Expert Says Warning Suggests Police Are Prepared

Dr. Marta-Marika Urbanik, an associate professor of criminology and sociology at the University of Alberta, said a public warning from police suggests authorities have intelligence about the gathering and are preparing for it.

Urbanik, who studies gangs, criminal organizations, violence and neighbourhoods, said seeing a large group of bikers can be intimidating for residents.

She said gatherings involving different clubs or chapters can have several purposes, including socializing, internal planning or operational discussions.

“For the most part, statistically, bikers tend to be really focused on their operations and on profits,” Urbanik said. “They do not generally bring large levels of violence that put members of the public at extreme risk.”

Residents Urged to Stay Aware

Urbanik said that does not mean there are no public safety concerns when a large number of people linked to organized crime groups gather in one community.

However, she said the fact police are speaking publicly before the event may reduce the likelihood of major violence.

She said police would not typically warn the wider public in advance if they believed a gathering was likely to lead to organized crime violence.

For residents, the message from police and experts is to stay aware, report suspicious activity and avoid assuming that the gathering automatically means there is an immediate threat.

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