By Chad Klassen

Kamloops RCMP keeping gangs at bay

Aug 16, 2016 | 4:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a problem plaguing many communities across B.C. Right now, there are an estimated 180 gangs operating across the province.

One of those gangs, the Wolfpack from the Lower Mainland, were in Kamloops until RCMP bust the group in June, making 10 arrests in a seizure of drugs, weapons, and $80,000 in cash. 

But since then, police say there hasn’t been any sign of more gang-related crime in the city. 

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“We’re not seeing a whole lot. Obviously, we had some enforcement against a group that identified themselves as the Wolfpack and they were from the Lower Mainland. We haven’t really seen another group move in from the Lower Mainland or anything,” says Sgt. Jennifer Johnston.

Johnston says instead, individuals are working together in the drug trade. Property crime is also up across the city, a concern for police.

This past week, the Gang Enforcement Unit from Vancouver was in Kamloops, helping the local Crime Reduction Unit target known offenders, prolific offenders, and nuisance residences.

“What we did with the Gang Enforcement Unit is basically what our Crime Reduction Unit does on a daily basis. We were just adding resources. It gives us the opportunity to explore other techniques,” says Johnston. 

Out of the 40 files created, eight arrests were made, three vehicles were impounded, and 23 suspected drug houses were checked. 

“They did some drug enforcement, some breaches of conditions, both conditions that people were released on by police or the judiciary. We were just checking to see if people are complying with their conditions.” 

While the checks didn’t come up any sign of gang activity, the vehicle checks and visits to drug houses helps the Kamloops detachment collect ‘intell’ they can use to stop gangs from infiltrating the city. 

“The best tool that we have is what a tight community that Kamloops is. People aren’t afraid to phone the police and work with the police in solving these problems,” says Johnston. 

“We’re not going to take our foot off the gas pedal. We want to keep up the pressure, so that criminals don’t feel comfortable and that they can set up in Kamloops. If they can’t profit from it and they can’t easily carry out their criminal activity here, they’re going to move on to somewhere else. That’s the environment we want to set up for them.”