'SOCIAL EVENT' GRABS ATTENTION OF POLICE

Bikers Arrive For Hells Angels' Party

WINNIPEG'S newly minted chapter of the Hells Angels biker gang is
hosting a party in the city this weekend.

According to members of the police gang unit, a "small" number of the
outlaw bikers are in town over the weekend for a "social event."

In the last few days, bikers have been arriving in Winnipeg to attend
the festivities.

The party was to be held at the Concord Hotel last night with
representatives from Angels chapters from around the country in
attendance.

"All the Angels in Winnipeg are new to the (biker gang)," said one gang
officer. "So a bunch of them are in town to get everyone socializing and
getting to know each other."

The officer said police aren't expecting any problems from the bikers
visiting the city, but they will be watching the gathering closely.

"There will be a viable police presence there,'' he said. "We'll be
watching them, but we don't expect it to be a big deal."

Last summer, the Hells Angels accepted the Winnipeg Los Brovos biker
gang into the fold in a patch-over ceremony that gave the local gang
official status with the Angels.

Since then, police have attributed a number of drive-by shootings and
some street level violence to the gang's determination to control the
drug trade in the city.

The Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada, in its 2000 report, says
the Hells Angels remain one of the most powerful and well-structured
criminal organizations in Canada. They have 18 chapters across Canada
and are currently expanding into Ontario.