POLICE NEED HELP FIGHTING GANGS

Bevan Wants Charges Under Federal Organized Crime Law

Police Chief Vince Bevan says the city has a serious problem with
"gang violence and organized cocaine trafficking" and he is asking the
federal government for help.

At a meeting of the Ottawa Police Services Board last night, Chief
Bevan said gangs have grown to a point where they have become
organized, dealing in drugs, guns and other criminal activities.

He said police discovered how serious the problem was in the capital
after investigating the killing of Bashir Sahal last summer. Mr. Sahal
was shot in his fourth-floor Caldwell Avenue apartment in August.
Police believe he was killed by members of an Ottawa street gang
called Ledbury Banff Crips.

"What we've found out during the investigation into the murder of
Bashir Sahal has caused some concern," said Chief Bevan. "When we take
you through what has been going on in the past 16 or 17 months, I
think you will see the kind of concern that the community should have."

Since then, Chief Bevan said police have identified at least six gangs
within the city's limits that are of concern.

"Ottawa police service will be formulating and implementing strategies
and enforcement measures to ensure they are vigorously investigated,
prosecuted and dismantled," Chief Bevan said.

He wants Crown prosecutors to consider bringing charges under a rarely
used article of the Criminal Code, section 467.11, pertaining to
"gangsterism."

The law was created to deal with organized crime, specifically
motorcycle gangs.

It says: "Every person who, for the purpose of enhancing the ability
of a criminal organization to facilitate or commit an indictable
offence under this or any other Act of Parliament ... is guilty of an
indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
five years."

Chief Bevan said he is willing to share the evidence unearthed by his
detectives during the investigation into the death of Mr. Sahal.

He said he believes it is more than enough to hold members of these
gangs guilty under section 467.11 of the Criminal Code.

"I believe that the conduct detected fits within the parameters of the
organized crime and gangsterism section," said Chief Bevan. "On all of
the evidence that has been accumulated, analysed and digested, we
would be looking in this direction in co-operation with the federal
Crown."

Ottawa police will hold a meeting this morning at 10:30 a.m. at Police
Headquarters on Elgin Street.

The chief said he will reveal some of the evidence police have
collected at the meeting, which he's calling "Guns and Gangs," as well
as highlighting the recent history of the Ledbury Banff Crips. He said
he will show photographs and maps detailing their activities.

Chief Bevan said the history will showcase the activities of the
Ledbury Banff Crips between Jan. 1, 2003 and Apr. 14, 2004. As part of
the presentation, the chief is expected to showcase ways that area
residents can help police to fight the increase in gang violence.