PRINCE GEORGE COPS FIGHTING A 'WORLD OF ABUSE AND TORTURE'

Gunfights, Torture Plague Northern City

Gangsters embroiled in an increasingly violent drug turf war in Prince
George are turning to torture and gunfights in the streets -- moves
that are alarming local police.

A trio of rival gangs are involved: the Renegades, the Crew and the
Independent Soldiers. The violence escalated last Wednesday night when
as many as 40 shots were fired during an open gunfight. A 19-year-old
was listed in serious condition but is expected to recover after the
gunplay on downtown streets.

Three Prince George men were charged Friday in connection with the
shooting. Fabian James Charlie, 23; Jesse Darren Bird, 26; and Eric
Vernon West, 28, are each charged with attempted murder.

The three men were remanded in custody until their next court
appearance Wednesday.

The trio are known to police, who identified them as members of the
Independent Soldiers, and they allegedly shot at another vehicle prior
to the man being shot. Firearms were seized by the RCMP.

Const. Lesley Dix told a news conference it's believed the men in the
other car were also IS members and that the gang is experiencing an
internal struggle involving a splinter group.

During the past nine months, there have been 13 violent incidents
involving IS members and the offshoot gang, with many allegedly
involving torture, kidnapping and gunplay in attempts to get addicts
to pay their drug debts -- some as little as $100.

Charges have been laid in connection with six of the 13 incidents. In
the remaining investigations, there has been one conviction. Charges
are pending, investigations are open, or witnesses are being
unco-operative with police with regards to the rest.

Police said a man was kidnapped on Oct. 28, 2007 and held captive and
beaten in a house in the 500-block Douglas Street. Four people have
been charged.

A home in the 2100-block Norwood Street had shots fired at it on Jan.
2. Three people have been convicted.

A female victim was confined, assaulted and burned by a man and a
woman on March 12. Charges are pending.

And a man was handcuffed, beaten and tortured on July 30 in what
police are calling a "crack shack" in the 200-block Norwood Street.
Three people have been charged.

Local police said the escalation of violence is causing concerns for
public safety.

"Members and associates of gangs are now arming themselves with
firearms and it is becoming evident that the war on drugs is not only
affecting the gang members but also members of the general public who
are innocent bystanders," Dix said in a news release.

"Thousands of working hours have been put in to identify and charge
the individuals who are responsible for the rise in gang violence due
to drug trade and organized crime. Upon searching these crack shacks
police have discovered a world of drug abuse and torture."

Calls to Mayor Colin Kinsley weren't returned.