POLICE FORM NEW TASK FORCE TO COMBAT GANGS

Vancouver police are vowing to meet gangs head-on to curb an
escalation in shootings.

The department has started up a new 20-officer gang violence task
force that will be assigned to monitor known gang members 24/7 and
ramp up firearm seizures.

"With this initiative, we're going to try to surge and purge gang
activity," said Sup. Kash Heed.

The new unit is a response to the spike in shootings and homicides in
the city within the last two weeks.

In that span, there have been six high-profile shootings; two of the
victims have died.

Police say all the shootings have connections to the drug
trade.

The problem is deeper than just the six shootings that have made their
way to the public.

"Drive-by shootings take place almost on a nightly basis in this
region but don't go reported," said Heed. "We have to address this."