Hundreds of bikers have congregated in Revelstoke, and members of BC’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team have arrived.
Their presence is intended to prevent any violence between competing illegal motorcycle gangs.
“It’s a biker event,” said Sgt. Brenda Winpenny, a spokesperson for the Uniform Gang Enforcement Team. “What we know or traditionally know, as we’ve seen several times in Canada, is that these types of gatherings do draw members of illegal motorcycle gangs,” she said.
The special forces unit is aiding the local detachment in the hopes of preventing a repeat of the July 23rd incident in Cranbrook.
“We are really there to protect the public from any situation that may happen. As we know back in July, residents of Cranbrook experienced a situation where we had rival gangs in their community, which resulted in a violent incident. Several people ended up in hospital, and that’s what we want to prevent,” said Winpenny.
Mounties were called to a gas station on Cranbrook Street North around 7 p.m. on July 23rd to reports of “multiple people fighting.”
Five people were sent to the hospital with stab wounds that were not life threatening.
The gang enforcement team visits areas around the province on a regular basis to assist police agencies, either proactively or reactively.
“In B.C., we’re seeing individual towns start to have their own rides. “Outlaw motorcycle organizations are also holding rides,” Winpenny stated.
“All we want them to know is that we are here.”
The event’s organizers denied an interview request, but did state that the event is lawful and that all guests are abiding by the region’s public health rules.
Source_ The Canadian Press
