13 COPS TO FIGHT GANGS

RCMP in northern B.C. will soon have a 16-member anti-gang task force
to call on in the battle against drugs and gun violence.

On Saturday B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General John
van Dongen announced that a detachment of the Combined Forces Special
Enforcement Unit will be permanently stationed in Prince George. The
unit is made up of RCMP offices and city police department officers,
and partners with the Canadian Border Services Agency, Revenue Canada
and other agencies.

The announcement is part of the seven-point plan announced Friday to
combat gangs and gun violence.

"This type of escalating gun violence is frightening and
unacceptable," van Dongen said. "Our reason for being here is a call
to action. (It's) a call to action for members of parliament... to
change the criminal code. When I talk to the people in Ottawa, I will
tell them the people of Prince George have had enough - the people of
B.C. have had enough."

The seven point plan includes hiring 168 additional police officers
over two years to focus on gang activity; 10 additional Crown
prosecutors to work on gang cases; a $185 million investment in
additional jail spaces for 600 offenders; petitioning the federal
government to toughen laws and increase police powers to combat
organized crime; a number of measures to crack down on illegal guns;
outlawing body armour and armoured vehicles; and the creation of a new
gang hotline, reward and education programs.

Van Dongen said he's gotten to know of the family members of the
innocent victims caught in the crossfire when gang violence occurs.

"No more gangs; no more gunshots; no more innocent victims," van
Dongen said.

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit commander Supt. Doug Kiloh
said the unit has operated in northern B.C. on a temporary basis to
assist local RCMP detachments. The "satellite" unit based in Prince
George will work with other members in Kelowna, Victoria and the Lower
Mainland, local RCMP and other agencies to combat gang violence.

"It pulls together and integrates all the levels," Kiloh said. "This
multiplies our activity in the province. CFSC will bring a whole list
of tools."

The unit has seen an increase in gang violence and illegal guns in the
province over the last several years, he said.

"There was 2,300 gun seizures in the Lower Mainland alone last year,"
Kiloh said.

Over the next few months, the unit will recruit officers and a crime
analyst for the unit in Prince George, he said. The unit will likely
operate out of a separate facility from the Prince George and North
District RCMP.

"This isn't something that occurs overnight," Kiloh
said.

Prince George RCMP Supt. Brenda Butterworth-Carr said the unit will be
a valuable asset in combating gang violence and the drug trade in the
city.

"It falls definitely in line with Mayor Dan Rogers and council's
priorities," Butterworth-Carr said. "We want to ensure that our youth
are not becoming involved with gangs."

Last year gang violence was linked to three murders, over 10 shootings
and one attempted bombing in Prince George. Numerous people have been
injured in shootings and assaults by gang members.

North District RCMP displayed a small faction of the illegal guns
they've ceased in Prince George in the last year at the press
conference Saturday. The collection included two semi-automatic
assault rifles, three handguns and eight rifles and shotguns.