COPS SAY RESOURCES STRETCHED THIN

Manpower An Issue In Department's War On Gang Violence,
Inspector Says

Vancouver police said yesterday their resources are being "stretched
thin" in the war on gangs.

"The violence is on everybody's radar," said Insp. Dean Robinson. "We
are doing everything we can about it as a police department and we are
working in concert with other agencies.

"We're stretched thin . . . We're not the only section in the
department that could use more numbers.

"This city is a tremendous magnet for gang activity. Some gang members
live here, many don't."

Of most concern, Robinson said, is innocent citizens getting caught in
the crossfire.

"The willingness of the gangs to use indiscretionary violence is
concerning," he said. "There is a tremendous threat [to the public]
when these individuals resort to using their firearms in public places."

Two people were shot last weekend at the upscale award-winning Quattro
on Fourth restaurant.

Last month, two gunmen entered the Fortune Happiness restaurant on
East Broadway and opened fire, killing two and sending six others to
hospital with serious injuries. .

Robinson said he does not feel there is a full-on gangland
war.

"There have been some events with extreme violence that have gang ties
and overtones," he said. "Some may be linked and others, as high
profile as they are, may have no links.

"There is a propensity for open-air violence right now. I think it is
directly related to the number of firearms out there.

"It is not just a Vancouver problem. It is a regional
problem."

Sgt. Steve Hyde of the Vancouver gang unit said many teen gang members
have guns.

"There's a certain comfort level of some of these kids that carry
guns," he said.

The lucrative drug trade is often the driving force.

"In Vancouver there is a strong drug trade," he said. "There's a lot
of money to be made and I believe 90 per cent of the violence points
to the drug trade."