You may notice more officers in and around Abbotsford bars and restaurants, as the department’s Gang Crime Unit increases its presence in these spaces.
Abbotsford police say the officers are targeting people believed to be involved in the ongoing B.C. gang conflict.
Const. Art Stele explains the gang unit will regularly attend these locations, “both to ensure the safety of patrons and staff from any gang activities or presence of gang members, as well as to thwart underage drinking.”
“This action is not a reactionary but rather a proactive initiative. We want to ensure that the safety of patrons and staff in our local establishments is guaranteed, as well as make it known to persons associated with the B.C. gang conflict that we are out there and Abbotsford is not a community that tolerates gang crime and the presence of it in our establishments, on our streets, and in our neighbourhoods,” he continued.
The officers will focus on people who have been identified as being linked to the conflict, he says, adding they will be increasing I.D. checks.
Stele says this increased presence provides businesses with the opportunity to bring up any concerns.
“We are not trying to disrupt anyone’s evening or enjoyment of the establishment. We understand that an overwhelming presence of 20 cops walking into a place is disruptive — that is not what we aim on doing or how we aim to do this,” he explained.
“For the average Joe, we just want to make sure that when they enter an establishment in Abbotsford that they can do so and know they won’t be interrupted or their evening spoiled by unwanted activities, such as gang conflicts often bring, as well as any other issues with intoxicated patrons that are causing disturbances in these areas that can potentially break into fights and arguments, as well as thwart any kind of underaged drinking or impaired driving.”
Stele says Abbotsford has had a history with gang violence. However, he notes the message to people associated with these groups is clear: Abbotsford is not a place for them.