Police stepping up presence during Hells Angels meeting this weekend

_ (press release) _ (Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service (OPS), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) will join forces to monitor the gathering of 500+ Hells Angels motorcycle riders in Ottawa from July 22 to 24

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“This event will result in a large increase in the number of motorcycles on our roads,” said Ottawa Police Inspector Michel Marin, with the Emergency Operations Directorate. “This is a reminder to all road users to share the road & respect speed limits.”

Ottawa Police has developed a coordinated approach that focuses on public safety. There will be an enhanced police presence especially in the Carlsbad Springs area which is the meeting place for the Hells Angels gathering.

“The OPP will be working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners for this event,” said Det. Staff Sergeant Len Isnor, Operations Coordinator, Biker Enforcement Unit Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Ontario Provincial Police. “Policing partners will be responding to any unlawful activity, in an appropriate and professional manner, while having a zero tolerance approach to crime during the weekend gathering.”

“We are working in close collaboration with all concerned partners to ensure the monitoring of activities within our jurisdiction,” stated Inspector Éric Simard of the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau. “We wish to reassure citizens and to let them know that an enhanced police presence is to be expected during such gatherings, and we invite them to communicate with police should they witness any suspicious activity.”

Residents should contact police to report any suspicious activity.

“Police forces reunite towards a common objective – effectively fight organized crime and keep our citizens safe throughout Canada,” added Cpt Paul Charbonneau, with the Sûreté du Québec.