POLICE BRACE FOR 500 HELLS ANGELS

'You'll See More Of Us Than Them,' Cops Vow

Windsor police are preparing for an influx of Hells Angels members
from across Canada when the city hosts the motorcycle gang's annual
meeting next week.

More than 500 members and associates from 32 chapters across Canada
are expected to be in the city from June 22 to 24 for the annual "Canada Run."

"We don't want them here," said Windsor police Supt. Dave Pickford in
a video police have prepared in advance of the event.

"But having said that, they are coming here and there's nothing that
we can do about that.

Police Presence

"What we can do is that we can assure the public that we're going to
be out in full force, that we'll be monitoring the situation, we'll
be watching every move that they make and if they step out of line,
we'll be there."

The bikers will be staying in hotels throughout Windsor and Essex
County and are expected to be visible in the downtown area on Friday
and Saturday nights, Pickford said.

"The public can feel safe because we'll have enough police personnel
here with Windsor, Essex, Amherstburg, LaSalle and the OPP all
dedicating resources to monitor the movements of the Hells Angels
during their Canada Run," said Pickford.

"You'll see more of us there than you will of them. We want it that way.

"They're going to be down here in full force with, we expect,
representation from each chapter in Canada."

The Hells Angels Windsor chapter clubhouse is actually in Amherstburg
in a heavily fortified compound on Howard Avenue.

Members of the provincial Biker Enforcement Unit will also have a
strong presence for the gathering.

"The Hells Angels are criminals," said Det. Insp. Don Bell, the head
of the Biker Enforcement Unit.

"Eighty-five per cent of these individuals have criminal records.
These records are for drugs, weapons and violence-related offences.
These are types of individuals that we don't want in our communities."

While the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Windsor and Essex County
has been working hard to draw conventions, the Hells Angels weren't
one of its targets.

"My immediate reaction is that it wouldn't be something we'd go out
and lure," said bureau managing director Gordon Orr.

"They are coming, they have decided that Windsor is their destination
of choice and the Windsor Police Service have pledged to keep the
public safe. They are going to spend money, and I would expect our
hospitality industry to provide great service. It's a balance. They
should not be discriminated against."

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, the chairman of the police services
board, said plans have been in the works for this for some time and
while he doesn't welcome the gang's presence, the city will deal with it.

"I don't think you can tell people where to go, what to do, or how to
do it," said Francis, who noted the clubhouse is in Amherstburg.

"There will be a visible and significant police presence. Things
should be safe."

In 2002 then-Toronto mayor Mel Lastman garnered negative publicity
when he shook hands with Hells Angels members during a national
meeting there and a photo ended up on the front page of the Toronto Sun.

Francis said nothing similar will happen here.

Pickford said the officers dealing with the bikers will be on the
lookout for members of rival gangs.

"We have to make sure that we prevent rival gang violence," said Pickford.