loading...
Photo: www.realworldimage.com
By Joe Fries
Kelowna RCMP are assuming an air of calm assuredness as they brace for the influx of an estimated 200 Hells Angels and associates into the city this weekend.
The bikers are expected to come mainly from the Angels’ seven B.C. chapters, and a few may “trickle in” from Alberta, said Sgt. Ann Brinnen.
She expects the bulk of the visitors to arrive throughout the day today and head home on Sunday. Like any group of tourists, Brinnen said, the bikers are expected to be out and about enjoying all the amenities the Okanagan has to offer. Police don’t want them infringing on the general public’s ability to enjoy those same activities.
“There always is an intimidation factor that comes along with any organized crime group, and we just want our people to know that they’re going to be OK,” Brinnen said.
“We’re not getting panicked calls from the public, but we obviously understand and appreciate that there is some public concern for safety. We want the public to know that they have no reason to be afraid for their safety at this point.”
Brinnen promised “enhanced” policing this weekend, using all means available to the detachment. She said people can expect to see the bikers out and about showing of their colours. And police have promised to assist staff at restaurants and nightclubs that have subscribed to a ban on wearing colours inside the establishments.
Meanwhile, the issue of gang colours was also raised in an unlikely place on Thursday: at a Central Okanagan Regional District board meeting.
Director Kelly Hayes put forward a motion to have CORD send a letter to the provincial government requesting it ban wearing gang colours in B.C. It was seconded by Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd, and the board unanimously approved the resolution.
CORD spokesman Bruce Smith said Hayes raised the issue “in light of the RCMP awareness of notification this week that they were anticipating Hells Angels arriving.”
Smith said the letter to Victoria has not yet been drafted, but the spirit of the resolution is for the ban to apply “on a province-wide basis.”
Manitoba currently has a ban on wearing colours inside licensed establishments.
joe@kelowna.com
Photo: www.realworldimage.com
2 Responses to “Police keep watchful eye on Hells Angels”
Tags: Array
loading...
The cops say the boys are the trouble here,,,me i say its them..
Ive been in kelowna for 12 years never a problem with the angels but many with goof cops and many times i did nothing wrong
loading...
Editor’s note: Reader Mike (one eye) Gaines submitted several comments along this vein and we have removed most of the expletives, all of which were directed at the RCMP. Among the more reader-friendly comments were: “leave the boys alone you creep goofs. At least the boys don’t start shit and (mess) with people for no reason like you goof pigs…” and “Welcome to Kelowna, boys, can’t wait to see more of you around…” and more and more of the same.
One-Eye (email address prefix of “matsqui3west@”) volunteered that he did four years in Matsqui Penitentiary for “shit you goofs say I did when I didn’t do half of it… or did I?” perhaps to show credibility to his comments. Thanks for the insight (incite?) Mike. We’d like to thank the B.C. correctional system for the opportunity to reach a wider audience.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link